With the acquisiton of Grubauer by the Colorado Avalanche, they now have 3 solid goalies (Bernier, Varlamov and Grubauer). Gruby is ready for the starting position and Bernier is a bonafied backup (interchangable with the Hamburgler). These 2 could be ready for a pairing and Gruby is not going to be willing to be stuck behind ANOTHER starting goalie of similar/equal skill again, so I think Varlamov is the odd man out.

The Islanders have had goalie woes since Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak suddenly dropped a step or 14, and the lack of any ready help in net for the 2017-18 season (Sorokin is not coming over, and Soderstrom wont be ready for a couple seasons). Varlamov is a ready starter for a couple years before they can trade him, and with enough cap room (accounting for the new cap) to acquire him, I think that a Varly trade is the best option for both parties. The Avs don't need much more offense, but their lack of defense outside of Erik Johnson is lacking. The same problem exists for the Isles, but I have a few more trades in mind.

This trade includes the rights to defenseman Ryan Pulock.

This is a cap dump. Needed for a few signings to improve the Islanders into a playoff team.