Ilya Sorokin has signed a one-year, entry-level contract (ELC) with the New York Islanders. The move comes on the day when Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) prospects were allowed to sign contracts with National Hockey League (NHL) clubs. Kirill Kaprizov and Alex Romanov have also signed their first NHL contracts with the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens, respectively.

The 24-year-old goalie drafted by the Islanders six seasons ago has played exceptional hockey in the KHL since being selected. In 244 regular-season games, he posted a 134-64-22 record with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. In his postseason career, he boasts a 50-17 record with a 1.37 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. He was the KHL playoff MVP in 2018-19 as a Gagarin Cup champion.

Further accolades in his career include a gold medal with Team Russia in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, a pair of World Championship bronze medals, a KHL Best Goaltender award victory in 2015-16, five KHL All-Star nominations and a league-lead in shutouts in both 2018-19 and 19-20.

Although he was hyped as the best goaltending prospect in the world entering this season, he has been playing in Russia for his entire career. His contract with HC CSKA Moscow expired after this season, slating him to join the Islanders this upcoming offseason, but the COVID-19 pandemic created an uncertain situation for him and other KHL prospects. However, the NHL Return to Play Plan agreed to allow rookies to sign their ELC’s with the clubs they were drafted by, and thus Ilya Sorokin is coming to Long Island after a six-year wait.

When he arrives, he will be ineligible to play in the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers and Playoffs. Nonetheless, he will be a restricted free agent this offseason and allowed to practice with the Islanders.

Even without Sorokin playing this postseason, the Islanders now have their franchise goaltender under contract.
Update: This morning, the Islanders signed Sorokin to a one-year extension for 2020-21 worth $2 million- $1 million salary and $1 million signing bonus. This arguably is the most important factor of everything that has happened as there is now a much greater certainty that Sorokin will be playing for the Islanders next season.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.