New York Islanders Prospect Ilya Sorokin Opens KHL Season With A Shutout

The New York Islanders talented goalie prospect picked up where he left off with a shutout to open up the 2018-2019 season in the KHL.

Ilya Sorokin is one of the most talked about New York Islanders prospects and for good reason. Since being selected in the third round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Sorokin has dominated in the KHL as a goalie.

The 23-year-old, now in his fifth year playing in the KHL started his season off with a shutout last night. He only faced 16 shots but he was perfect in the opener for CSKA Moscow as they begin the season with a win and a strong performance from their star netminder.

In 37 games last season, Sorokin had a .931 save percentage and a 1.59 goals against average. Those are impressive numbers but it’s nowhere close to his best year. Ilya burst onto the scene in 2015-2016 when he had a .953 save percentage and a 1.06 goals against average.

Yes, the KHL competition is different from the NHL but the talent is clearly there with Ilya Sorokin. The thought of Sorokin in a blue and orange sweater was once a pipedream but now with Mitch Korn in the building, it’s seeming like a possibility.

With Lou Lamoriello in charge and the best goalie coach in the league overseeing the Islanders, the Isles have what it takes to make Sorokin into a star. They’ll likely just have to buy him out after this season in the KHL.

Either that or they can wait until after next season when his contract expires. With Robin Lehner on a one-year contract, a hard push to bring in Sorokin wouldn’t be surprising at all. It’s all up to Ilya, as it’s been rumored that he doesn’t want to play on an ELC. That could’ve changed once the Isles front office changed.

Sorokin jumping out to a hot start is nothing new, and he’s someone you’re going to want to keep a close eye on in 2018-2019.