Seeing Sorokin Skate Alleviates Islanders Crease Concern

For the first time, we have some positive news regarding the status of New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- For the first time, we have some positive news regarding the status of New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin after he hit the ice before the team's practice on Wednesday:

"Things are going well,” Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. “Day by day, and we'll go from there.”

Whether it's a big step or a baby step, Sorokin being on the ice, and, more importantly, taking shots is a sure positive for him and the team. 

"Sorokin’s such a big part of the team, and he’s one of the best goalies in the league, so there's no rush,” Islanders forward Brock Nelson said. “He's going to be a big part of our team and franchise for a long time.”

That's just it.

As much as Sorokin can be a difference-maker and steal games for the Islanders -- yes, he struggled to do that last season -- Semyon Varlamov is still here, so there is no rush.

Sorokin, who begins the first of an eight-year deal worth $8.25 million annually, is a long-term investment, and one would think the Islanders learned their lesson after what transpired with Rick DiPietro.

Varlamov has been a tremendous Islander, and although he's entering his age-36 season, he is still ultra-reliable.

In 28 appearances last season, starting most of the games down the stretch in the Islanders' push for the playoffs, Varlamov posted a 2.64 GAA with a .918 SV%, both his best marks since the shortened 2020-21 season. 

"We pride ourselves on having Varly to be the guy," Nelson said. "Varly has been the guy, and last year, he stepped in and was a big part of the team for us down the stretch. Both guys are just great guys who show up and go to work individually, trying to get better each and every day, and, within that, they push to make each other better.

"They have such a special bond and a friendship. They truly support one another, and there's no animosity. They don't really care who's in net. They want to support the other person. Just seeing Sorokin go down and now him working his way back, Varly is there to support him, and at the same time, he's ready to go. We're fortunate to be in a spot where we have both these guys here."

There were tons of fans who wanted to see Varlamov traded because of Sorokin's new deal. 

Varlamov is on the books for another three seasons, with a cap hit of $2.75 million. But every penny counts in a salary-cap world, especially for a team with its back against the cap wall. 

Had the Islanders moved Varlamov before Sorokin's injury and surgery, they would have been in REAL trouble entering 2024-25. 

Being back on the ice taking shots doesn't mean Sorokin will be ready for the season opener on Oct. 10 or even the first month of the regular season. 

But seeing him working his way back has his teammates excited. 

"Any time you get to see Sorokin out there working back to being 100 percent, that's always great," Casey Cizikas told The Hockey News. "It's always awesome. Right now, he's got to make sure that he's 100 percent comfortable with what he's doing and not rush back and force things so he doesn't here re-aggravate something. 

"It's definitely nice seeing him push himself and trying to get back. But we want him to be smart and make sure that when he is back, he's 100 percent."

Looking at the schedule, the Islanders don't have their first back-to-back situation until Oct. 29 and 30th, when they host the Anaheim Ducks before heading to Columbus to battle the Blue Jackets.

In theory, if Sorokin isn't ready, offseason signing Marcus Hogberg, who signed a two-way, two-year deal on May 7th, will be available. 

"It's definitely fun to see him getting better and better every day," Jean-Gabriel Pageau added.  "We know how big he is for this team and how much he means. Just to see him getting well and seeing his smile as he's getting closer, you see some light.

"We're just trying to stay positive around him. We need him to get healthy, and Varly has been a rock for us, even last year. He's always ready to go, which is why he's such a good professional and still a really good goalie. 

Expect Varlamov to get the opening night start against the Utah Hockey Club with Hogberg as the backup, but keep in mind that Sorokin is working to get back and will be back when he's 100 percent.