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Semyon Varlamov, the 38-year-old backup goaltender for the Islanders, is preparing to return from nearly two years of injury following knee surgeries. He could make his comeback as early as Tuesday against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Reflecting on his career and inspired by Alexander Ovechkin's announcement that this will be his final season, Varlamov expressed deep respect for Ovechkin’s contributions to hockey, both in Washington where they played together and with their national team.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Semyon Varlamov, backup goaltender for the New York Islanders, is set to return from knee replacements and almost two years of absence as early as Tuesday against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The 38-year-old Russian expressed deep emotions about his comeback, noting that each moment feels significant due to the impending end of his career. This sentiment was underscored by Alexander Ovechkin's recent announcement that this will be his final NHL season. Varlamov, who was drafted by Washington in 2006 and made his debut nearly 18 years ago alongside Ovechkin, emphasized Ovechkin’s legendary status and the impact he has had on the game.
Written for “Nhl Career Comeback” on 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
At some point, the game may feel like a game again.
uncertain
game → feel → game
For now — following Semyon Varlamov’s two partial knee replacements and nearly two years out of action — it means so much more to the Islanders backup goaltender, who could make his long-awaited return this week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
uncertain
who → follow → Garden
It was “special” for Varlamov to take the ice in the preseason.
asserted
Varlamov → take → preseason
It was “emotional” for him to stand with his teammates before Saturday’s home opener.
asserted
him → stand → opener
The 38-year-old Russian cannot imagine taking another moment for granted, knowing the finish line isn’t far off.
asserted
line → imagine → moment
An unnecessary reminder came Monday when his countryman and former teammate, Alexander Ovechkin, announced this will be his final NHL season.
asserted
this → come → ?
“Ovi’s a legend,” Varlamov said.
asserted
Varlamov → ’ → ?
“He’s an iconic player.
asserted
He → ’ → ?
He’s the best scorer of all time.
asserted
He → ’ → time
I can go on and on and on.
asserted
I → go → ?
Everybody knows what he does in the game.
asserted
he → know → game
Varlamov was drafted by Washington in the first round in 2006, three years after the Capitals took Ovechkin with the No. 1 overall pick.
asserted
Capitals → draft → pick
Varlamov made his NHL debut nearly 18 years ago, speaking limited English, playing alongside a star who had stood in his skates.
asserted
who → make → skates
“I remember the first year when I came over from Russia — he was speaking English — he let me stay in his house for a few weeks,” Varlamov said.
asserted
Varlamov → remember → weeks
“Ovi just helped me to get to know Washington.
asserted
me → help → Washington
He was welcoming when I came to Washington.
asserted
I → welcome → Washington
He’s a great person, he has a big heart and we shared a lot of games playing for our national team.
asserted
we → ’ → team
He’s very respected around the hockey world, especially in Russia.
asserted
He → ’ → Russia
He’s the man.”
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Two days later, Victor Eklund was still riding the high of Saturday’s 6-0 win over the Devils, when he recorded a goal and an assist on his 20th birthday with his mother in attendance, then was serenaded by Islanders fans.
asserted
he → rid → fans
“Still goose bumps,” Eklund said.
asserted
Eklund → say → ?
“It creates a big smile on [my face] every time I watch it.
asserted
I → create → it
I can’t believe it.”
asserted
I → believe → it
“He’s a really smart player,” DeBoer said of last year’s first-round pick.
asserted
DeBoer → ’ → pick
“He’s got a really good hockey IQ.
asserted
He → get → IQ
You got a handful of guys on your team, you go and find them the day after a game with a clip, they know what it is before you even press play, and he’s one of those guys.
asserted
he → get → guys
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