Ullmark Exits as a Precaution, Stevenson Wins His Jets Debut, Varlamov Set for First Start in Nearly Two Years

NHLVarlamov to make his first NHL start since November 2024, after two partial knee replacements

Semyon Varlamov will start for the New York Islanders against the Rangers on Tuesday, his first NHL start in a little under two years, Islanders coach Pete DeBoer said. (Peter Baugh on X)

The 38-year-old’s last regular-season start was Nov. 29, 2024, against Washington, when he hurt his knee. He then had partial replacements in both knees, and his rehab ran close to 22 months. Two AHL games with Bridgeport in April were his test: he won both, allowing three goals on 49 shots, and arrived at training camp healthy. “People are doing it, but not professional hockey players to try to come back,” Varlamov said in September. “That was kind of like a crazy idea, a very risky idea, but I took a risk and then had to do a lot of rehab, and then just had to be very, very patient.” (Islanders)

He admitted retirement crossed his mind during the setbacks: “You wake up next morning and then just tell yourself you’re just not ready to retire and I’m not there yet, I guess. I still have a lot of respect and love for the game, and I want to be around this team.” (Islanders)

On InGoal: Episode 62 with Semyon Varlamov and Oleg Romashko.

NHLStevenson makes 30 saves to win his Jets debut

Clay Stevenson picked up his first win as a Jet in the rink where his NHL career began. He made 30 saves as the Jets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 at PPG Paints Arena on Monday, a week after Winnipeg claimed him off waivers from Washington. His NHL debut came for the Capitals on April 17, 2025: a 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh in which he stopped 33 shots. (NHL.com)

In his sixth NHL start, he sealed it in the final 20 seconds, turning aside Evgeni Malkin’s shot from the high slot with his blocker. “Obviously he made some big, big stops,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said, adding, “He came as advertised. Really liked how he was poised and played well.” Stevenson: “Honestly, I don’t even have the words. It means a lot, that’s for sure.” (Global News)

He didn’t arrive in Winnipeg as a stranger: he and Jets starter Stuart Skinner train together in the off-season. At his first practice with the team last Wednesday, the 27-year-old, whose “Mud” nickname goes back to junior, talked about what the opportunity means after a pro career spent mostly in the AHL, where he won a Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears in 2024. “It means the world just to have this opportunity and be able to showcase myself at this level a bit more,” he said. “Come up to Canada means a lot, back in God’s country. I’m from Alberta and it’s a blessing to be here.” “I play the game in front of me wherever I’m at,” he added. “I always say a thing – if you’re in a dark forest, you can’t get out until you just look down and take your first step.” (Global News)

On InGoal: Stevenson joined us on InGoal Radio Episode 271 and, in 2022, on InGoal Radio Episode 181.

NHLBrodeur on Shesterkin's goal, and three GMs on the EBUG rule

Martin Brodeur, the New Jersey Devils’ advisor of hockey operations, told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger what he thought of Igor Shesterkin‘s goal against Tampa Bay last week. “It’s everybody’s dream to score goals, especially if you’re a guy that loves to play the puck. And right now he’s the top guy,” Brodeur said. “The way that he took it off the back boards and fired it down, all in one motion, was impressive.” (NHL.com)

In the same column, three general managers gave their views on the new rule making every team carry an emergency backup goalie on the road as well as at home. Columbus GM Don Waddell was with Carolina when the Hurricanes used Zamboni driver David Ayres against the Maple Leafs on Feb. 22, 2020: “When they scored on him on their first shot, I remember saying ‘Uh-oh, we’re in trouble.’ (Laughs). But we ended up winning the game.” The Blue Jackets’ EBUG is Reid Robertson, their team services manager of travel and logistics, and Ottawa’s is Bradley Mitchell, a dressing room attendant and practice goalie. Utah’s Bill Armstrong likes what it does for his goalies in practice: “I would rather see my goaltender going to practice and take the shots that he wants to face, work hard at it, and then remove himself from the net as EBUGs can go in.” (NHL.com)

On Monday the NHL named Shesterkin the first of its three stars of the week. He went 2-1-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage, and with his goal he joined a list of 18 NHL goaltenders who have scored in a regular-season game. (NHL.com)

On InGoal: Shesterkin’s first goalie goal in Rangers history and every NHL goalie goal, plus InGoal Radio Episode 23 with Martin Brodeur and Martin Brodeur’s Greatness as a Goaltender Went Well Beyond Stopping Pucks.

NHLThe Canadiens will carry two emergency backup goalies

Nicolas Ruccia and Daniel Harvey will be the Montreal Canadiens’ emergency backup goalies this season, TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported on Monday. (Renaud Lavoie on X)

Ruccia, a 21-year-old from Laval, Quebec, split five QMJHL seasons between Cape Breton and Charlottetown, then moved on to McGill, where he went 12-11 with a 2.62 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and two shutouts in 24 games as a rookie last season. (McGill Athletics) Harvey is the Canadiens’ video coach, promoted in 2022 from the same job with the AHL’s Laval Rocket. (Canadiens)

NHLOettinger on "quality over quantity" after his 17th shutout

Jake Oettinger made 13 saves for his 17th career shutout as the Dallas Stars beat the San Jose Sharks 5-0 on Monday, and afterward he talked about the kind of shots goalies are seeing. “Now guys are so skilled and so smart, turning down good looks to try to make a great look, so that’s what you’re going to have to get used to as a goalie now in this league,” he said. “I feel like the volume isn’t going to be as high, it’s going to be more quality over quantity.” (NHL.com)

On InGoal: InGoal Radio Episode 176 with Jake Oettinger and his on-ice warm-up drill with goalie coach Jeff Reese.

NHLEllis could make his first start of the season, a year after Buffalo claimed him

The Buffalo News looked at Colten Ellis, who took the No. 1 net in practice on Monday and could get his first start of the season on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, one year to the day after the Sabres picked him up on waivers from St. Louis. (Buffalo News) Ellis, who turned 26 on Monday, went 8-4-2 with a .903 save percentage in 16 games as a rookie, and Alex Lyon, out with an upper-body injury, has yet to rejoin practice. “Looking back a year ago today, it’s pretty crazy,” Ellis said. “All that’s happened in the past year, super grateful for the opportunity. Not that I was expecting it or anything, but to be able to get picked up here and play the whole season here was a dream come true.” (Sabres.com)

His off-season work was shaped by a rookie year in which he once went two months without a start: “Learning when I have a little more time than I think and slowing down the play a little bit, I think that’s when I’m at my best. … Just trying to play with confidence and control.” (Sabres.com)

CollegeSt. Cloud State freshman Ehrman earns a shutout in her first NCAA start

St. Cloud State freshman Alexis Ehrman made 33 saves for a shutout in her first college start as the No. 13 Huskies won 3-0 at No. 15 Minnesota State in Mankato on Saturday. (College Hockey News) Her NCAA debut came the night before, when she replaced the injured junior Emilia Kyrkkö for the last 9:40 of a 5-2 win and turned away four shots. The Calgary native played 70 scoreless minutes across the two games. (St. Cloud Times)

She already had 26 saves when the third period began. No St. Cloud State freshman had posted a shutout since Kyrkkö blanked Mercyhurst on Oct. 5, 2025. (KVSC) On Monday the WCHA named her its goaltender of the week. (KVSC)

Around the NCAA

• New Hampshire completed a weekend sweep at Long Island with a 3-0 win on Saturday, as senior Noemi Martinez stopped 25 shots for the fifth shutout of her career. (Hockey East)
• Delaware sophomore Charlotte Payne made 33 saves in a 4-1 win against Lindenwood on Saturday, the Blue Hens’ third win in program history, and was named Atlantic Hockey America’s goaltender of the week. (Delaware Athletics)
• St. Lawrence first-year Maja Helge made 32 saves for her first college win and shutout, 3-0 at Maine on Friday. (St. Lawrence Athletics)

JuniorNelson and Esler named OHL and WHL goaltenders of the week

• Ottawa 67’s goaltender Jaeden Nelson is the OHL’s goaltender of the week after two wins, one of them the 67’s first at home this season, in which he stopped 52 shots for a .956 save percentage. He shared last season’s Dave Pinkney Trophy for the OHL’s fewest goals allowed. (Ottawa 67’s)
• Spokane Chiefs goaltender Carter Esler, 17, is the WHL’s goaltender of the week after stopping 49 of 51 shots in wins against Portland and Everett. (WHL)
• Dauphin Kings goaltender Tate Barnaby, 16, went a perfect 59-for-59 last week and his scoreless streak is at 169 minutes; Northern Manitoba’s Kannen Kirkwood had two shutouts in three games. (MJHL)

Birthdays

Happy birthday to former Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers goalie Eldon “Pokey” Reddick (62), a Stanley Cup champion with the 1990 Oilers, and New Jersey Devils goalie Rémi Poirier (25).

Have goalie news, a big save, a signing, or a coaching hire? Send it to news@ingoalmag.com.