If there’s one thing Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has made clear early in his tenure, it’s that he’s not leaving anything to chance — especially in net. On The Jeff Marek Show, Darche gave fans a cautiously optimistic update on Semyon Varlamov, who’s been working his way back from last season’s injuries. “From what I’ve been told, his rehab is progressing well,” Darche said. “He’s getting on the ice next week, I believe.”
That’s good news for an Isles team that leans heavily on Ilya Sorokin but needs a dependable backup to keep the workload manageable over an 82-game grind. Varlamov has been that guy for years, but last season’s injury woes and surgeries left a big question mark heading into 2025–26.
Darche isn’t waiting to see how things play out. He brought in veteran David Rittich as insurance — a move that not only protects the roster but also signals that playoff ambitions are still front and center. “My job is to protect the organization,” Darche explained. “It’s a big role… sometimes that’s the difference between being in the playoffs or not.” Last season, following Varly’s injury, the Islanders had to rely heavily on Sorokin and spot-start Marcus Hogberg and others. While Hogberg had his moments, he struggled after returning from a hand injury.
The Isles’ new GM is balancing optimism with realism. Yes, Varlamov says he’s “progressing well” and “feels good.” But Darche knows there’s no guarantee a 37-year-old goalie coming off surgeries can jump right back into form. Rittich gives the team a safety net, and it means Sorokin’s minutes can still be managed even if Varly needs more time.
If Varlamov is healthy, the Isles will have one of the league’s better tandems again. If not, Darche’s foresight could be the difference between chasing a wild card spot and locking one down early. Either way, the Isles are covered — and that’s exactly how a playoff-minded team should operate.