Sorokin Probably Won’t Ever Play for the New York Islanders

The young Russian goaltender is coming off a stellar season for his CSKA Moscow team and was awarded goalie the KHL’s version of the Vezina trophy, but he’ll probably never play for the New York Islanders.

The New York Islanders drafted young Russian goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin 78th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The Islanders drafted the then 19-year-old and the rest of the 2014 Isles draft class to become a big part of their organization.

Now the soon to be 21-year-old is proving to be the game-changer the Islanders need between the pipes. In 28 games for CSKA Moscow Sorokin posted an outstanding 1.06 GAA and .953 SV% while going 17-7-4.

It might not seem like 28 games is a lot of game time, but consider that the KHL is 54 games long as opposed to the NHL’s 82 game marathon. Sorokin played in just over half of CSKA Moscow’s games.

These stats are fantastic and Isles fans are probably excited to see him play in Brooklyn. Don’t get excited just yet.

Sorokin Signs with CSKA

Ilya Sorokin has a contract with CSKA Moscow that goes to 2018 and in an interview with Russian publication Championat, Sorokin reveals how he feels about the potential of playing with the Islanders.

In the interview, Sorokin alludes to his desire to stay in Russia and see out his contract with CSKA Moscow and how he may attend training camp if his schedule is free enough to permit it.

Not a great sign for the Islanders. For years, a legitimate number one starting goalie has eluded us. We had Roberto Luongo for all of 25 games but traded him away the day after drafting Rick Dipietro 1st overall.

We put our faith in Rick Dipietro and were let down when it turned out he couldn’t stay healthy enough to play a full season. And really wasn’t a starter when he was healthy, with a 2.87 GAA and .902 SV% in 318 games played over 11 years. An average of 29 games per season.

The fact that Sorokin stays in the KHL is concerning on a few levels, no more than the fact that Sorokin could potential play out his contract with CSKA and never have to become an Islander.

According to Newsdays Arthur Staple the Isles still have till 2018 to sign Sorokin. Which is when his current contract with CSKA Moscow is set to expire.

Next: Isles are 30-1 Odds for Cup in 2016-17

We’ll see what happens this offseason and how the goaltender situation unfolds. Regardless, though, it seems that Sorokin won’t be landing in Brooklyn anytime soon, if at all.