Every NHL team will have to carry a third goalie during the 2021 season, and the Islanders’ “taxi tendy,” Cory Schneider, was once one of the best in the league.

The Islanders signed Schneider last week to an undisclosed contract, but the Islanders are getting a husk of the former William M. Jennings Trophy winner. Since 2018, he has more AHL wins than NHL ones. The Devils, his former team, bought out the final two years of his contract in October.

Without the three goalie requirement this season, Schneider’s NHL career could have been over, but the Islanders gave it a new lease on life. With the risk of coronavirus infections this season, he may see some game action if either Semyon Varlamov or Ilya Sorokin become injured or fall ill.

While he waits for his opportunity, he will work with two of the best goalie coaches in the league. Goaltending Coach Piero Greco and Director of Goaltending Mitch Korn helped turn Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner into a Jennings Trophy tandem. Lehner was even nominated for the Vezina Trophy in 2019.

This year, they helped Semyon Varlamov return to form after a few injury-riddled seasons in Colorado. Varlamov started most of the games en route to the Islanders’ Conference Finals appearance last summer. Korn, who has worked with Head Coach Barry Trotz for the majority of his career, has also coached prominent goalies like Braden Holtby, Pekka Rinne, and Dominik Hasek.

Schneider is a different project. The Islanders now have valuable depth at the goaltending position, so he likely won’t be playing very much., but his confidence and mechanics have likely taken a hit from his lack of playing time and success the last few seasons.

However, Schneider ended his 2020 campaign on a high note. He had a .931 SV% in two games in February and a .970 SV% in another two in March. Schneider was 3-0-1 in those four games after his dismal start to the season. He was sent down to the minors after losing six straight starts and allowing at least three goals in five of them.

Schneider made 27 saves in his first win of the season at Detroit. His movements were controlled and deliberate, showing his confidence and attention to detail. He made on great save after a turnover behind the net gave Detroit a great chance in the slot which Schneider turned aside with his glove.

Now as New York’s third goalie, Schneider is in a totally new position. But the 34-year-old veteran understands the situation he’s in and the importance of goaltending depth. In a media availability in May, he told reporters, “goaltending is like pitching, you can’t have enough of it.”

Schneider added that it’s difficult for a goalie to play 60 games in a season. He also said that when coaches assign goalies games in advance, it can help them plan ahead and mentally prepare. Schneider will work with Greco and Korn to fine-tune his game so he can be ready if the team needs an emergency start or another veteran presence in the locker room.

Isles’ General Manager Lou Lamoriello expressed confidence in his goalies leading up to training camp. “We feel good about our goaltending,” he said. “[Semyon Varlamov] is back, Cory [Schnieder] is here, Ilya [Sorokin] and we’ll also have Jakub Skarek in training camp we will have four goaltenders. It will be competitive and they will certainly be pushing each other.”

The Islanders opened training camp on Monday with all four goaltenders on the roster. The Islanders play their first game of the season on January 14th in Manhattan against the Rangers.

Ben Baruch

Born and raised on Long Island. Isles fan since 2009. Studying journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.