There is a lot of talk around Washington about who will be the Washington Capitals' starter in goal come the first game of the season. A few weeks ago Bruce Boudreau told Tarik El-Bashir that "Jose [Theodore] is the No. 1 guy and the other two young men have got to come in and play the way they did last year and try to push him out."
I visited the Kettler Iceplex yesterday where Semyon Varlamov, who is trying to take over as the Capitals' starter told the media: "I know that he's No. 1 and I'm No. 2 right now. What I need to do is play really well and earn that top spot during the preseason games. Bruce told me last year when the season was over that I would have to earn it, and I'm ready for it."
Varlamov added: "I feel like I'm much stronger than last year, physically. Right now, I know how to get myself for ready. Maybe last year it wasn't such. But now I know how to do it. Two years ago, I actually played 60 games. I know the schedule wasn't as tough as it is here. But I know that I'm ready."
You can watch the full interview (translated by yours truly) below:
Afterward I caught up with the Capitals' new goaltenders' coach Arturs Irbe. And this is what he had to say:
What can you say about Varlamov?
“He is a very talented goaltender. He showed himself well during the last playoffs. Everyone would wish to start their NHL career that way! This is just the beginning. Just like any athlete, Varlamov wants to get more experience and add to his skill. But it will be more difficult for him now. Now [everyone] in the NHL knows Semyon, and they pay attention. But Varlamov has everything to become one of the best goaltenders in the league.”
Will Semyon become the number one goaltender for the Capitals? Coach Bruce Boudreau said that Varlamov is still Theodore’s backup.
“Any of this team’s goaltenders can become number one. But no one knows when his star hour will arrive. Whoever is in a better condition will be counted on. Semyon very seriously approached this season, he trained in Finland [with a personal goaltending coach]. He can become the number one goaltender. But he will have to compete with the veteran Theodore as well as other guys. Although, this is a good competition. Varlamov will only benefit from it.”
Have you already worked with any of the [Capitals’ goaltenders]?
“I just met Varlamov. We talked for a bit, practiced. I know Theodore from before. But he was always on the other side of the rink. When I played for Carolina, Jose often stole games from us. Therefore, I have a two-sided opinion of him. I have bad memories of him as an opponent. But it is great that Washington has [him] as a strong goaltender.” [Irbe said with a smile].
What will you say about Varlamov’s chances of ousting Theodore from the number one spot during the preseason?
“Any player has a chance. I got to realize it during my career. This is what I try to tell Varlamov. You may not be counted on right now. But you have to be ready for your chance. Otherwise it will happen that you get into the lineup suddenly and you’re not ready for it: either physically or psychologically. One guy played in the minors and thought ‘Oh, nothing is going to happen for me right now, but in a month…’ And then he fell short. We, goaltenders, just like pioneers must always be ready. And I am sure that Varlamov will get his chance for sure. You just have to wait. A hockey career is not a sprint but a marathon. The most important thing is the finish, the end of the season. So let’s not run in front of the train.”
I will ask you differently: is Varlamov ready to play 55 games this season?
“It is impossible to predict. At least because Varlamov has never done that in the NHL. Maybe he is ready to play 60 games in this league. Who knows? And maybe 30 games is his maximum, and he will get tired. It is difficult to have an even season psychologically. The schedule is very difficult. Coach will bring Varlamov to the first team. And the better Semyon capitalized on his chances, the more games he will play. If he plays great 30 games, then he will keep playing. It’s that simple.
It will be Bruce Boudreau’s decision. I don’t decide who to play in goal. My job is to help goaltenders to better prepare for games, to have the coach pick his brain as to which goaltender to pick. I wish all will be that good that Boudreau won’t know who to pick.” [Irbe said with a smile]
Comments