New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche shared updates on several key players and announced a coaching change on Wednesday. Forward Pierre Engvall will miss the season following ankle surgery, while goaltender Semyon Varlamov continues to progress from knee surgery. Sergei Naumovs has been named the team's new goalie coach.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, New York Islanders GM and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche addressed the media with updates on injuries and staff changes ahead of the team's practice.
Injury Updates
Pierre Engvall, who underwent offseason hip surgery, had successful ankle surgery to address a separate lingering injury. The procedure will likely sideline the winger for the entire season. Engvall recorded 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in 62 games last season and is in the third year of a seven-year contract. "His ankle flared up again, so we decided to get it fixed right now so it doesn't linger," Darche said. "He still has a lot of term on his contract. Instead of him playing not at full strength, we might as well get it fixed and go from there."
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov is skating on his own and making progress after knee surgery, though he remains on Injured Reserve with no firm return timeline. Last season, Varlamov appeared in 10 games, posting a 3-4-3 record, 2.89 goals-against average and .889 save percentage. "Varlamov is dropping down more and testing his knee a bit more," Darche noted. "He was on the ice this morning and he's working towards it."
Defenseman Alexander Romanov (day-to-day, upper body) missed Wednesday's practice, his second straight absence after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Sharks. Darche indicated Romanov is expected to miss the next two games.
Forward Max Shabanov also sat out practice after logging 10:15 of ice time and an assist in Tuesday's game, missing the second half of the third period. Shabanov has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in his first six NHL games. Head coach Patrick Roy said Shabanov's status for Thursday's matchup against the Red Wings will depend on how he feels in the morning.
Coaching Change
The Islanders relieved goaltender coach Piero Greco of his duties after seven years with the organization. Sergei Naumovs, who has served as goalie coach for the AHL's Bridgeport Islanders since May 2024, will take over. Naumovs brings 15 seasons of KHL experience, including six with CSKA Moscow, where he worked with Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Together, they won the KHL's Gagarin Cup in 2019 (when Sorokin earned MVP) and 2022.
"Piero has done a great job for the organization for the last seven years," Darche said. "We just felt at this time it was the right timing to have a reset with our goaltenders. There's obviously a history with Sergei and Ilya, and we just made that decision going forward."
Sorokin anticipates minor adjustments in training structure. "Ilya wants what's best for the team and we all want what's best for the team," Roy added. "Sometimes they're tough calls and this was a really tough one."
Chris Terreri, the Islanders' director of goaltending development and scouting, will assist in Bridgeport during the transition.
Practice Notes and Prospect Praise
Wednesday's practice featured rotating defense pairings to avoid overworking players: Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Adam Boqvist, Tony DeAngelo, Matthew Schaefer and Scott Mayfield. Adam Boqvist is set to pair with DeAngelo on Thursday. Goalies were David Rittich (Thursday's starter) and Ilya Sorokin.
Forward lines included: Jonathan Drouin-Bo Horvat-Emil Heineman; Anthony Duclair-Mathew Barzal-Kyle Palmieri; Anders Lee-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Simon Holmstrom; Max Tsyplakov-Casey Cizikas-Kyle MacLean; and Marc Gatcomb.
Darche praised 18-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer for his strong start, with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in six games. "What impresses me most is the way he defends," Darche said. "He's still 18 years old, there's still learning moments in games but he's playing great and continues to improve, he's a big part of our team already." Simon Holmstrom filled in for Shabanov during line rushes and earned Roy's commendation for his defensive blocks against the Sharks.