Source: Vegas Golden Knights Pushing Hard For Semyon Varlamov

Earlier this week, NYI Hockey Now reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov. But with the way Toronto’s rookie netminder Christer Kellgren has played over his first two NHL starts, the desperation level of Leafs general manager Dubas has come down a bit.

But the desperation level of Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon is on the rise. With his starting netminder Robin Lehner’s injury a potential season-ender, McCrimmon is now pushing hard to acquire Semyon Varlamov from the Islanders, per a league source.

NYI Hockey Now has been told that the asking price for Semyon Varlamov is a first-round pick, and it’s up to McCrimmon if he is willing to let go of his.

Vegas lost their 2022 first-round pick in their trade for superstar Jack Eichel earlier this season. But they do have their 2023 and 2024 first-rounders.

The Vegas Golden Knights have taken a nosedive in the standings and are now are on the verge of being out of a playoff spot if things do not change and change quickly.

The new Golden Knights goaltending tandem of Laurent Brossoit and Logan Thompson have struggled over their last three games, having allowed 17 goals over the previous three games.

After Vegas lost 7-3 to the Winnipeg Jets this past Tuesday, head coach Pete DeBoer showed frustration with his goaltending.

“They just didn’t get in front of enough pucks. It’s pretty simple. I am not a goaltending expert, but you have to get in front of a couple,” DeBoer said.

Even when Robin Lehner has been healthy and has played, his numbers have been well below expectations.

In 38 games this season, Robin Lehner owns a 2.77 GAA with a .909 SV%.

Included in the deal with the New York Islanders, along with a first-round pick, could be goaltender Laurent Brossoit.

That is speculation, given that the New York Islanders would need a goaltender to back up Ilya Sorokin for the remainder of the season. AHL netminders Corey Schneider and Jakub Skarek are potential options but not comfortable ones.

Laurent Brossoit is 10-9-3  with a 2.90 GAA and an .895 SV% in 24 appearances this season. He has one more year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $2.325 million.

Bringing in a stable Semyon Varlamov, who has played solid all season and appears to be on top of his game right now, not only could be the goaltender that Vegas needs to excel in the postseason. Varlamov could also be the goaltender that saves the Golden Knights from missing the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

Reminder, Semyon Varlamov is not a pending UFA, with one more year remaining on his contract at $5 million. He has a modified no-trade clause that covers 16 teams.

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has the ball in his court and will be patient. The 2022 NHL Trade Deadline is this upcoming Monday.