The physical toll of an extended hockey season, including rigorous travel, daily practices, and a heavy game schedule, raises concerns about the long-term impact on a key player’s knees. With expectations of playing a significant number of games, the strain on joint health becomes a critical factor in assessing durability. Experts and team staff will closely monitor how the body adapts to the demands of sustained competition. The outcome could shape not only the player’s immediate performance but also his future in the sport.
Nobody knows what the demands of an 84-game season — the travel, the practices, the 25 to 30 games the Islanders hope to get from their backup spot — will do to Varlamov’s knees.
