Semyon Varlamov is the one participant on the Islanders’ roster to have expertise taking part in for Patrick Roy.
Suffice it to say, he’s pleased with the crew’s alternative of a brand new head coach.
“I’m not gonna lie, I had goose bumps,” Varlamov stated Tuesday earlier than the Isles misplaced 3-2 to the Golden Knights in Roy’s second sport behind the bench. “It’s nice that he joined our crew. He’s an awesome chief. He’s gonna convey lots of feelings. And I believe that’s what we’d like proper now. He can convey lots of ardour about hockey.”
Varlamov’s greatest particular person season got here in his first 12 months beneath Roy, when he completed second to Tuukka Rask for the 2013-14 Vezina Trophy, placing up a .927 save share.
After Varlamov was activated from injured reserve on Monday, having him again within the fold shall be essential for the Islanders, who’ve leaned closely on Ilya Sorokin over the past month.
Varlamov will return to the online on Wednesday towards the Canadiens.
“Between you and I, he ought to have received the Vezina that 12 months [in 2014],” Roy stated.
“I used to be very glad to win coach of the 12 months, however truthfully, the participant who made the distinction that 12 months from the crew that was second-to-last within the NHL to complete first in its division was as a result of the goaltender was so good. We might rely on him night time after night time after night time.”
Varlamov stated it’s too early for him to get a way of how Roy has modified because the final time the 2 of them labored collectively.
However the respect he has for the Corridor of Fame netminder is nothing wanting huge.
“All of us knew Patrick Roy since we have been youngsters again dwelling,” Varlamov stated. “[The] hottest groups have been Detroit Pink Wings and Colorado Avalanche. I bear in mind these playoff video games again within the late-90s and early 2000s, Detroit and Colorado going towards one another. Patrick performed unbelievable throughout these years, he received the Cup with Colorado twice. So in fact he was an idol for lots of younger goalies.”
Mike Reilly was again within the lineup Tuesday, with Samuel Bolduc popping out.
Roy stated the plan is for Bolduc to return again in towards the Canadiens.
“We simply don’t need Mike to sit down out too lengthy,” Roy stated. “[Bolduc] performed an excellent sport [Sunday]. Doug [Houda’s] very glad along with his development, he’s younger. We’re simply gonna rotate in some unspecified time in the future.”
Pierre Engvall was a full-contact participant in morning skate on Tuesday, with Roy persevering with to name him day-to-day with an upper-body harm, however stated he’s progressing properly.
Brock Nelson’s second interval objective was his five hundredth profession level.
Roy didn’t have an replace on Bo Horvat after he took a puck to the mouth throughout the last minute of the loss.