Simeon Varlamov: Is He For Real?
Washington Capitals' Young Goalie Making Opponents Take Notice
Every once in a while, a young goaltender blooms into sudden, incandescent stardom. Strangely, this happens more often than you might think in the pressure cooker environment of the playoffs (where supposedly, experience and veteran poise matter most). Stranger still, these brilliant goaltender debutants sometimes revert to merely above-average, or even just plain mediocre, after a stunning run to Cup glory.
Names like Ken Drydon and Patrick Roy are other-worldly for their playoff exploits, but lesser goaltending lights like Cam Ward and J-S Giguere also made their names early by carrying their clubs to the ultimate hockey victory.
Washington's Simeon Varlamov, who has captured the collective imaginations of hockey commentators and fans alike, since his first playoff appearance on April 18th, just might be the next instance of a young, breakout goaltender.
But the important question isn't, "is he for real?" The real question for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and ever other remaining team in the NHL playoffs, is slightly different. Because like Ward, Giguere, and other goaltenders who have stolen Cups, Varlamov doesn’t need to be the next great goaltender in the NHL. Although he might turn out to be the real deal, the more important question is: is he for real right now?
Varlamov Before April 18th
Varlamov was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2006 NHL entry draft.
He spent most of 2008-09 campaign playing for the Capitals’ farm team, the Hersey Bears of the American Hockey League. His stats with the Bears were:
- Games Played: 27
- Wins: 19
- Losses: 7
- OT Losses: 1
- Minutes: 1551
- Goals Against: 62
- Shut Outs: 2
- GAA: 2.40
- SV%: .916
The 20-year old goaltender also played 6 games for the Capitals during the 2008-09 regular season, earning 4 wins. During those six games he faced 139 shots, and allowed 13 goals, giving him a 2.37 goals-against-average (GAA), and a .918 save percentage (SV%).
These NHL numbers back up his solid AHL statistics, so it would appear that Varlamov displays that highly valued goaltender characteristic: consistency.
Varlamov After April 18th
Since replacing Jose Theodore after a disastrous first game in the Eastern Conference Finals, Varlamov has captured the curiosity of many with his outstanding play. He currently leads all goaltenders in the NHL playoffs in both his GAA and his SV%. He full set of 2008-09 playoff statistics are below.
- Games Played: 9
- Wins: 6
- Losses: 3
- OT Losses: 0
- Minutes: 549
- Goals Against: 15
- Shut Outs: 2
- GAA: 1.64
- SV%: .942
While these numbers are exceptional, much of them were earned against the imploding New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Many argue that Varlamov’s first real test is coming at the hands of the Capitals’ second round opponents, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Yet, while still sometimes inconsistent, Varlamov is starting to look like a goaltender who can steal games for his club.
Check out this YouTube video of Varlamov’s unbelievable save against the Pittsburgh Penguin’s captain, Sidney Crosby. Make sure to wait for the overhead slow motion replay.
Varlamov Verdict
The jury is still out on Varlamov.
But remember, there are two separate questions being deliberated on the young goaltender.
1. Is Varlamov the next (and recently rare) great Russian goaltender?
2. Is Varlamov going to catch fire and take the Capitals to the Cup final for the first time since getting swept by the Detroit Red Wings in 1998. and maybe even lead them to their first Stanley Cup championship ever?
Don’t make the mistake of confusing these two related, but very separate questions.
And further, don’t make the mistake of thinking for a second that Crosby’s Penguins and the rest of the Eastern Conference care more about the first question than the second.
They’re worried about whether or not Varlamov is the man right now.
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