On Thursday' NHL Network released their top five goaltenders right now in the NHL. What may come as a shock to some, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin came in at No. 5.
On Thursday' NHL Network released their top five goaltenders right now in the NHL.
What may come as a shock to some, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin came in at No. 5:
Here's the full top-10 list:
The 29-year-old, who is entering the first of an eight-year deal with an $8.25 million cap hit, had a rough 2023-24 campaign.
Behind one of the league's weakest defenses and penalty kill, Sorokin struggled to play to his ceiling, setting career worsts across the board, with a 3.01 GAA and a .908 SV%.
This came a year after being a Vezina finalist, where he sported a 2.34 GAA, a .924 SV%, and a league-leading six shutouts.
He was ranked No .3 heading into 2023-24, by the way.
Sorokin ended up losing the starting job to Semyon Varlamov down the stretch as the Islanders pushed for a playoff spot.
He did get one playoff game but was pulled after allowing three goals on 14 shots early in Game 3.
But, behind what should be a better defense, a deeper lineup, and a more responsible group under Patrick Roy, Sorokin should have every chance to show that last season was just a one-off.