New York Islanders Linus Soderstrom Is The Future Goalie

Earlier this off-season the New York Islanders inked top goalie prospect, Linus Soderstrom to a 3-year entry level contract. Soderstrom along with Ilya Sorokin are the Isles two top goalie prospects. However, the New York Islanders future starting goalie is Linus Soderstrom.

On Monday morning, the news broke that Ilya Sorokin signed a 3-year extension with his KHL team CSKA Moscow. Many thought the 21-year old netminder would come to North America after his contract was scheduled to end after next season.

This news aside many scouts have felt that Linus Soderstrom was the better of the two goalie prospects. He dazzled in the Isles prospect camp last week.

Path is Clear for Soderstrom

With Sorokin signing to stay in the KHL for at least the next four years, it is clear that Soderstrom is the future for the blue and orange in between the pipes.

New York Islanders

Soderstrom does not take a beat seat to Sorokin in terms of ability. Since being drafted in 2014 in the fourth round, the Swedish goalie has done nothing but impress with his play in the Swiss league.

Soderstrom helped HV71 Jonkoping win the championship last season. He posted 1.34 goals against average and .943 save percentage in 22 regular season games last year. In the playoffs, Soderstrom posted 2.11 goals against and .922 save percentage in 17 games.

Soderstrom is a big goalie at 6’5 and 196 lbs. Since being drafted scouts felt it would take some time but due to his size and how technically sound Soderstrom, he has a chance to become an elite goalie.

Soderstrom has shown everyone in the hockey world that he is one of the best goalie prospects in the NHL.

Road Map

The road map for Soderstrom is quite clear. With him signed for one more season in Sweden and the Isles having the tandem of Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak for one more season, Soderstrom will spend next year in Sweden continuing to develop his game.

This time next year the talk will be about how Soderstrom will be joining Greiss as part of the Isles goalie tandem for the 2018-19 season. Soderstrom will see plenty of action as a rookie but will not be counted on as being the Isles starting goalie as a rookie.

The Isles can ease Soderstrom into the NHL with Greiss signed through the 2019-20 season. Over that period of time, you will see the transition of Soderstrom from backup goalie to eventually the Isles starter in between the pipes.

Next: Johansson Missed Opportunity

While Sorokin signing a three-year extension to stay in Russia is a disappointment, the Isles future in goal is in really good shape.