Islanders Sign Vitek Vanecek to a 1-Year Deal – The Hockey Writers – New York Islanders

On July 1, the New York Islanders announced they have signed goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a one-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1 million.

Vanecek began his NHL career when he was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second round, 39th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft. It wasn’t until the 2020-21 season that Vanecek actually played his first NHL game, taking his rookie lap on Jan. 15, 2021, securing his first win against the Buffalo Sabres. Following his first NHL season, Vanecek was claimed by the Seattle Kraken in their expansion draft on July 21, 2021. Just seven days later, Seattle traded him back to the Capitals in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Vanecek remained with Washington in the 2021-22 season. Following this season, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he played for a season and a half, before he was traded to the San Jose Sharks. He remained in the Bay Area for half a season, but was then traded to the Florida Panthers. Following the 2024-25 season, Vanecek signed as a free agent with the Utah Mammoth, where he spent the entirety of last season.

How Vanecek Fits In With the Islanders

From the constant movement Vanecek has experienced throughout the six seasons of his NHL career, it feels less likely for him to be considered a starter. Lucky for the Islanders, they still have Ilya Sorokin as their starting goaltender.

Vanecek didn’t have the greatest record last season, playing in 22 games and earning a record of 5-13-3. This shows he still has some room to improve and grow in net. Now that he will be backing up Sorokin, he can learn from this stronger, more seasoned goaltender.

The Islanders also have Semyon Varlamov signed as well. Will they carry three goaltenders for the 2026-27 season, or will Varlamov or Vanecek be sent to play in Hamilton?

It is still just the beginning of the offseason, and there is plenty of time left to figure this all out; however, these are still things that need to be considered.