Ilya Sorokin has one clear priority for Islanders in 2026-27

There is no doubt that the New York Islanders’ success in 2026-27 hinges on one key piece: Ilya Sorokin. It’s not that the Isles’ netminder is somehow better than everyone else. It’s that the Vezina nominee has been the backbone of the club.

But if you ask him, he’s not focused on his individual success. Sorokin is focused on helping his team succeed. That’s something he made clear in a recent interview.

In a Russian-language interview with bookmaer-ratings.ru, Sorokin made clear that his priority is the team’s success, above his personal accomplishments. Please note the original interview is in Russian, with English quotes produced with AI and human-assisted translation.

“Individual trophies are not the most important thing for me. If God allows it, that's good. The main thing is to do my job well and take responsibility for the result.”

The comment highlights just how much Sorokin’s mindset is focused on doing the right thing for his team. If he earns individual accolades, that’s fine. As long as the Islanders win, that’s what counts.

“The most important thing is the team result. We don't play tennis; this isn't an individual sport. First of all, I need to be useful to my team.”

Boy, is Sorokin ever valuable to his team. Last season, Sorokin earned his second Vezina nomination on the heels of a fantastic season. In 55 games, the 31-year-old posted a 2.68 GAA and a .906 SV%. He almost willed the Islanders into the postseason, falling just shy of a postseason berth.

This upcoming season, things will be much different.

Sorokin with high expectations for 2026-27 season

Despite the disappointing end to last season, Ilya Sorokin remains bullish on the Islanders’ chances this upcoming season. The influence of Peter DeBoer for an entire season, plus offseason additions, should give the club a better chance to get back into the NHL playoffs.

“The main thing is to work well, and the result will come. Every season brings big expectations, and the question is how well we can turn that into reality.”

Sorokin’s thoughts are in the right place. The point is to focus on a team effort, one that will lead to collective success. While expectations are certainly high, the main issue is translating a plan and a design into reality on the ice.

Could this be the season Sorokin wins the Vezina?

This season may just be the one in which Ilya Sorokin wins the Vezina Trophy. A solid defensive team in front of him, plus his usual high-end performance, should translate into a winning season. The only question mark will be just how well that stacks up against the rest of the Metro Division.

But if last season’s final batch of games is any indication, Sorokin and the Islanders should be in a position to get back into the playoffs.

Once there, the Islanders could become one of the most dangerous teams. The Isles will hope to become the sort of team no one wants to play against. With Sorokin firing on all cylinders, that’s where this team could be heading.

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