Varlamov steadily recovering from season-ending hip surgery

Associated Press

DENVER (AP) – Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov says he is making steady progress after undergoing season-ending hip surgery in January.

Varlamov plans to start skating at the end of the month and may put the goaltender pads back on in late May or early June.

The 28-year-old Varlamov was limited to 24 games as he dealt with a nagging groin injury that he's hoping is cleared up through the hip surgery. He was 6-17 this season with a 3.38 goals-against average for the last-place Avalanche.

Varlamov said rehab is "going very well" and he's looking forward to a "fresh start in September. I'm going to be ready for sure."

There's a chance Varlamov could be left unprotected by the team in the upcoming expansion draft with Las Vegas set to join the league.

Semyon Varlamov to miss rest of season for Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov is scheduled to have hip surgery and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Varlamov has been in and out of the Avalanche lineup. He has missed 12 of the past 18 games because of a groin injury. 

"After further evaluation from our team doctors, it was determined that the best road to recovery was surgery," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic told the Denver Post. "Doing this procedure at this time ensures that Semyon will be fully healthy for the start of training camp."

Acquired by the Avalanche in a trade with the Washington Capitals for a first- and second-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft on July 1, 2011, Varlamov was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy in 2013-14 after going 41-14-6 with a 2.41 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and two shutouts to help Colorado win the Central Division with 112 points.

This season, Varlamov is 6-17-0, with a 3.38 GAA, .898 save percentage and one shutout. He last appeared in a game on Jan. 17, a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at Pepsi Center.

The Avalanche will move forward with goalies Calvin Pickard and Spencer Martin. They resume their schedule at the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, PRIME, ALT, NHL.TV) 30th in the NHL at 13-31-2 (28 points).

- NHL