The New York Islanders have signed goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a one-year contract worth $1 million, adding depth to their goaltending situation. The move comes as the team plans for the potential return of Semyon Varlamov, who has been recovering from knee replacement surgeries.
General manager Mathieu Darche stated that the team anticipates Varlamov backing up Ilya Sorokin if he is healthy. However, the addition of Vanecek provides a contingency plan. Vanecek is expected to fill a role similar to David Rittich, who made 28 starts last season when Varlamov was sidelined.
Vanecek joins the Islanders after spending the previous season with the Utah Mammoth, where he recorded a 5-13-3 record with a .883 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average. Previously, he played for the New Jersey Devils in 2022-23, achieving 33 wins, and later won a championship as a backup with the Florida Panthers in 2025.
Varlamov has undergone two knee replacement surgeries and last played in an NHL game in November 2024. He participated in two conditioning games with the AHL's Bridgeport team late last season. Darche expressed optimism about Varlamov's recovery, noting his consistent training and on-ice sessions. "We're obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves," Darche said Saturday. "Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He's under contract, he feels great. If he's healthy, he's going to be our backup next year."
Darche added, "He's been training, no medication, no anything. He's been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It's very encouraging what we're seeing right now."