I’m in the camp that believes having a top notch goalie helps win hockey games. Lehner did it last year. Anything less from Varlamov is unacceptable, especially considering he is playing in front of a more mature and better team than lehner was. Time will tell if he wins games like lehner did Under the trotz system
Go back 1 year, not a long time, and I think everyone chooses Varly over Lehner. We went from a goalie who had 1 great year and is 27, to a goalie that had a few great years, and is 3 years older.
Seriously, I don't get the sense of impending doom that some here feel. I don't think anyone can make a valid case that either goalie is head-and-shoulders above the other.
And this is NOT including what goes on behind the scenes. I am happy for Lehner, but maybe he is a downer, and Varly is a great leader? Who knows?
Unless you are associated with a player or team, I think neither of us knows.