In Elliotte Friedman’s newest 32 Ideas: The Podcast, he dropped a little bit of a bombshell on New York Islanders followers. He states he has “heard that [Ilya] Sorokin has been battling one thing,” referring to a possible offseason damage that might change into a difficulty for the crew early on. At this level within the offseason, it’s a bit unusual to be listening to of the information solely now, however what may it imply?
Breaking Down the Report
Friedman’s feedback had been amid a section on the Islanders. He begins the dialog with co-host Kyle Bukauskas by discussing what Patrick Roy’s first full season with the Islanders may appear to be. They focus on how the Islanders received a “jolt” within the half-season stint from the Corridor of Famer final season, however now with a full coaching camp and preseason, he’s curious as to what else he can convey.
Friedman additionally describes Anthony Duclair as “precisely the man” the Islanders want along with his vitality and velocity, and it’s arduous to disagree. Duclair brings velocity that the ahead core typically lacks, and including such a singular and versatile skillset with a 30+ purpose upside will rework this offense.
After a quick stint discussing Brock Nelson’s looming contract scenario, Friedman cuts to the Sorokin hypothesis. He discusses how Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders are very non-public, and his info isn’t coming from the crew or Sorokin’s agent, however it’s nonetheless sufficient to warrant dialogue. He doesn’t consider it’s essentially “severe,” that means it could possibly be nothing, however we’re unlikely to get any affirmation from the crew, at the very least till the season begins.
Associated: Revisiting John Tavares’ 9 Seasons with the Islanders
When Friedman feedback on a matter, particularly for a crew as tight-lipped because the Islanders, there’s possible some reality behind it. And for the Sorokin report, it’s arduous to see why this is able to be an exception. Earlier than Roy’s hiring in January, Sorokin was probably the most labored goaltender within the NHL. Underneath former head coach Lane Lambert, Sorokin confronted extra pictures per recreation than any goaltender within the NHL, together with eight video games the place he confronted 40 or extra pictures. Underneath Roy, that quantity dropped to 4, with one among them being in his first recreation as head coach.
Sorokin completed final season in a chilly stretch, going 3-5-1 with a .904 save share, 3.13 objectives towards common, and -0.18 objectives saved above anticipated in his ultimate 9 common season video games. He misplaced his beginning spot to Semyon Varlamov within the playoffs and gave up three objectives on 14 pictures throughout his one look. He was pulled from the sport within the second interval.
Sorokin was clearly drained by the top of final season, with lots of his objectives given up stemming from psychological errors and fatigue, reasonably than potential. This isn’t responsible him, because the horrific teaching and defensive accidents led to his intense workload. Whereas he by no means hung out on the injured reserve, it could be comprehensible for him to have been secretly battling an damage that lingered by means of the offseason.
What Now for the Islanders?
Assuming the report is true, what’s subsequent for the Islanders? The primary, and more than likely situation, is there’s not a lot to the report. Each NHL participant, particularly these on playoff groups, battles accidents all through the season. Sorokin received quite a lot of relaxation this offseason and is more likely to be eased into the starter’s web for the Islanders’ regular-season opener towards the Utah Hockey Membership on Oct. 10. Whether or not or not there’s benefit to this report, he’s more likely to see minimal time throughout the preseason, possibly only a few 30-minute appearances all through the six-game preseason, so followers shouldn’t panic if he takes a bit longer to take the crease than different goaltenders.
If Sorokin’s damage is extra severe than Friedman presently believes, Marcus Hogberg could be the goaltender referred to as up. Varlamov would haven’t any time to deal with the starter’s duties to start the season, and Hogberg could possibly be a serviceable backup. He went 21-8 with Linkopings HC of the Swedish Hockey League final season and is a veteran of 42 NHL video games with the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders’ first back-to-back is Oct. 25-26, so Hogberg would possible solely see recreation motion if Varlamov received pulled from a recreation early or Sorokin couldn’t return by then.
With such a reputable media insider reporting this information, it’s comprehensible for Islanders followers to panic. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t be the case. Sorokin has barely missed time in his hockey profession, and the very fact the Islanders performed him within the playoffs proves any potential damage was by no means that severe. Until a brand new damage arose this offseason, Islanders followers ought to relaxation assured Sorokin shall be within the starter’s web on Oct. 10.
