In Elliotte Friedman’s latest 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, he dropped a significant revelation for New York Islanders fans. He mentioned that Ilya Sorokin has been dealing with an issue, indicating a possible offseason injury that could affect the team early in the season. It’s unusual to hear this news at this time in the offseason, raising questions about its implications.
Breaking Down the Report
Friedman shared these comments during a segment focused on the Islanders. He began by discussing Patrick Roy’s potential impact in his first full season, noting the “jolt” the team received during his half-season stint. With a full training camp ahead, Friedman is curious about what additional contributions Roy can make.
He described Anthony Duclair as “exactly the guy” the Islanders need due to his energy and speed. Enhancing the forward core with Duclair’s unique skill set and 30+ goal potential could significantly elevate their offense.
After briefly mentioning Brock Nelson’s contract situation, Friedman turned to the Sorokin speculation. He highlighted the secrecy of Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders, clarifying that his information did not come directly from the team or Sorokin’s agent. He considers the situation not to be necessarily “serious,” suggesting it may be nothing, but acknowledges the lack of confirmation from the team until the season starts.
Friedman’s insights are often credible, especially with a tight-lipped team like the Islanders. Prior to Roy’s hiring in January, Sorokin was the most worked goaltender in the NHL, facing the highest shots per game, including eight games with over 40 shots. Under Roy, this number decreased to four.
Last season, Sorokin ended on a tough note, posting a 3-5-1 record with a .904 save percentage and a 3.13 goals against average in his last nine games. He lost his starting position to Semyon Varlamov in the playoffs, giving up three goals on 14 shots in his single appearance.
Sorokin seemed fatigued towards the season’s end, with many of his goals stemming from mental errors and fatigue rather than a lack of skill. Although he didn’t spend time on injured reserve, it’s plausible he was contending with an underlying injury throughout the offseason.
What Now for the Islanders?
If the report holds true, what are the next steps for the Islanders? The most likely scenario is that there’s not much to the concern. Every NHL player, especially on playoff teams, deals with injuries throughout the season. Sorokin has had ample rest this offseason and will likely be eased into the starter’s role for the Islanders’ regular-season opener against the Utah Hockey Club on Oct. 10. Regardless of this report’s validity, don’t be alarmed if he has limited appearances during the preseason.
Should Sorokin’s situation prove more serious than currently believed, Marcus Hogberg would be the backup called up. Varlamov might not be able to take on the starting duties right away, but Hogberg has experience, boasting a 21-8 record in the Swedish Hockey League last season and a veteran presence with 42 NHL games under his belt.
With a respected insider reporting this, it’s natural for Islanders fans to worry. However, given that Sorokin has missed very little time in his career, and the fact that he played in the playoffs indicates that any potential injury may not be severe. Unless a new issue has emerged this offseason, fans can be reassured that Sorokin will be ready for the starter’s role on Oct. 10.
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