The recent signing of Russian net-minder Ilya Sorokin has been in the making for over five years. The Siberian man has been cited by Islanders fans to be one of the best prospects in the Islanders’ farm system, with hope that he would eventually sign a contract to play on Long Island. Now that he’s signed with the hockey club, fans are excited for the future of the club, finally putting to rest the various trade rumours about trading him away. With the Sorokin and Varlamov friendship likely stronger than ever, let’s go over the various ways the 24-year old net-minder could fit into the Islanders’ roster.

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Have the Islanders had enough of keeping Sorokin out of the starting lineup? A transition from the KHL to the NHL is not easy, which Lou Lamoriello tried to make easier with the signing of fellow Russian national Semyon Varlamov. While the signing of Varlamov was heavily criticized by fans, it was truly a sign from Islanders management that they were serious about signing Sorokin.
Despite the anxiousness of fans to see the promising youngster out on the Coliseum ice, the fact is you’ve got to let any young prospect develop to playing in a new league. Even if Trotz and Lamoriello find Sorokin to have the talent to play in the NHL, that does not mean there is not a huge transition period from European/Russian-style hockey to American/Canadian-style. There are clear differences from the eye test on the rink size; North America uses the 200×85 foot ice surface, whilst the KHL uses the “Olympic” sized 200×98 foot rink. This, combined with a smaller neutral zone, allow offensive players more room to skate and set up plays. This can be seen in the drastically higher PPG averages compared to the NHL.
These factors all lead into the possibility of the Russian spending some time in Bridgeport, allowing him the crucial transition time that he might need come October (hopefully).

Sorokin and Varlamov Goalie Tandem

While the AHL is a great place for future stars to improve and refine their skill before heading up to the big leagues, if Ilya Sorokin proves to be a solid player in the NHL preseason, he might be thrown in as the fringe starter replacement for the Greisser. With the signing, this all but solidifies the end of Greiss’ terrific career as an Islander. He never truly had a solid starting spot, but was always a reliable net-minder to play secondary or splits with the main starter. From Halak to Lehner to Varlamov, having a proper two-keeper system has been a staple of the Islanders for the past half-decade.
This system has its benefits, and Ilya Sorokin might be needed to keep a duo in net. Varlamov and Sorokin are reportedly very close friends, and neither would fret at the idea of being able to become a solid pair in net for the Islanders. This setup is taking a chance on Sorokin’s ability to transition over to the NHL with few hiccups. However, given the net-minder’s numbers in the KHL, he is likely to be able to do that.

Starting Net-Minder

This is more likely down the road. Semyon Varlamov is under contract for three more seasons (plus the 2019-20 season, should it resume). It is not in the Islanders’ best interests to pay someone $5 million a year to sit on the bench. With that being said, Lou Lamoriello has proven last offseason, albeit with failure, that the Isles are focused on getting to raising the Stanley Cup now. If Sorokin is the answer to that, so be it.
This is not very likely, given Sorokin would be a first-year NHL player and has not hit his peak. Look at fellow net-minders such as Carey Price, who didn’t get under the league goals against average until his fourth season. Statistics like these are not unusual in the slightest, and Sorokin is unlikely to make a huge splash in his first NHL season.

John Smark