Semyon Varlamov

Lore & Background

Varlamov grew up in Kuybyshev and started playing in net at age eight, preferring the goalie stick to bandy sticks. He moved to Yaroslavl in his early teens and established himself as the club's dominant goalie, debuting with Lokomotiv-2 in 2004–05 and later helping Lokomotiv Yaroslavl reach the Russian Super League finals in 2008. After being drafted by Washington, he signed an entry-level contract in July 2007 and made his NHL debut on 13 December 2008, winning 2–1 against the Montreal Canadiens with 32 saves. During the 2009 playoffs, he replaced José Théodore and recorded his first career NHL shutout in Game 3 against the New York Rangers, helping the Capitals advance to the second round for the first time since 1998.

Traded to the Colorado Avalanche on 1 July 2011 for a first-round pick in 2012 and a second-round pick, Varlamov signed a three-year, $8.5 million contract the next day. His first season saw him often benched in favor of veteran Jean-Sébastien Giguère, but after Giguère's groin injury in February 2012, Varlamov reaffirmed his starter position. He finished the 2011–12 season with a .913 save percentage and 2.59 GAA, going undefeated in all eight shootout contests. During the 2012–13 lockout, he returned to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL, leading the league in GAA and save percentage before returning to the Avalanche. He struggled in the lockout-shortened season, posting a career-worst 3.02 GAA and .903 save percentage. In January 2014, he signed a five-year, $29.5 million extension. Hip surgery ended his 2016–17 season in January 2017, and he returned in 2017–18 but was injured near the end, allowing Jonathan Bernier to start in the 2018 playoffs.

On 30 October 2013, Varlamov surrendered to Denver police and was arrested on domestic violence charges including second degree kidnapping and third degree assault. On 22 November 2013, he was charged with misdemeanor assault. The charges were dropped by a Denver judge on 20 December 2013 at the request of prosecutors, who said they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reader's Guide

Varlamov's tenure with the Colorado Avalanche spanned eight seasons, during which he was projected as the starting goaltender after being acquired in a trade from the Washington Capitals. His 2011–12 season highlighted his shootout prowess, as he went undefeated in eight shootout contests, allowing only two goals on 24 attempts. Despite a disastrous November that dropped the Avalanche to the bottom of the Northwest Division, Varlamov regained the starter role after veteran Jean-Sébastien Giguère's injury and kept the club in playoff contention until the final game of the season. His lockout stint with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL demonstrated his ability to perform at an elite level internationally, leading the league in goals against average and save percentage before returning to the NHL. The five-year, $29.5 million contract extension signed in January 2014 reflected the Avalanche's commitment to him as their franchise goaltender. However, recurring injuries—including hip surgery that ended his 2016–17 season and a late-season injury in 2017–18—limited his availability and ultimately led to Jonathan Bernier starting in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Varlamov's legacy with the Avalanche is that of a talented but injury-prone goaltender who showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in shootouts and during his early seasons, but was unable to sustain consistent health or lead the team deep into the playoffs.

Did You Know?

• He made his NHL debut on 13 December 2008, making 32 saves in a 2–1 win against the Montreal Canadiens and being named first star.
• During the 2009 playoffs, he made a save on Sidney Crosby that NHL pundits called 'the save of the playoffs.'
• Varlamov went undefeated in all eight shootout contests during the 2011–12 season, allowing only two goals on 24 attempts.