Islanders sign Varlamov to 4-year, $20M contract

The New York Islanders have inked goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a four-year contract, the club announced Monday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $5 million, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters, including Newsday's Andrew Gross.

Varlamov spent the last eight seasons with the Colorado Avalanche. He posted a .909 save percentage in 49 appearances this past season.

The 31-year-old officially joined the Islanders minutes after former Isles goaltender Robin Lehner was first reported to have signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. That deal was confirmed shortly thereafter.

Varlamov was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2014.

He's only two campaigns removed from a .920 save percentage, but the Avalanche clearly felt comfortable with netminder Philipp Grubauer, who produced a .917 mark over 37 games in 2018-19.

Varlamov spent the first three seasons of his career with the Washington Capitals, who drafted him 23rd overall in 2006.

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