New York Islanders starting netminder Ilya Sorokin gets a friendly face after Mitch Korn leaves.
New York Islanders starting netminder Ilya Sorokin gets a friendly face after Mitch Korn leaves.
When it was announced that Director of Goaltending Mitch Korn was leaving the New York Islanders to rejoin Barry Trotz in Nashville, that was a big blow to the organization and a goalie like Ilya Sorokin.
Although Korn wasn't working daily with Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov with Piero Greco, the goalie coach, Korn had been working with the Islanders' No. 1 netminder since he came over from Russia.
Korn shined in the video room, and if there was anything Sorokin needed to work on after an incredibly tough 2023-24 campaign (3.01 GAA, .908 SV%), it was his angles and positioning that negatively affected his rebound control.
While Korn's departure was tough, the Islanders retained Greco, and with Patrick Roy as the head coach, one of the best goaltenders to ever play in the NHL, Sorokin, should be just fine.
However, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello made a move on Thursday that likely put a huge smile on his face.
Although Bridgeport Islanders goalie coach Chris Terreri was named Director of Goaltending and Scouting, Sergei Naumovs was brought in to become Bridgeport's goalie coach.
This wasn't a random signing.
Naumovs served as Sorokin's goalie coach during his final two seasons with the KHL's CSKA Moscow and is his goalie coach every summer.
In Sorokin's final two seasons for the Red Army team (2016-2018), he went 54-16-7 with a 1.30 GAA and a .938 SV%.
There was a lot of talk about how this signing doesn't help Sorokin, who is at the NHL level, with Naumovs expected to work heavily with goalie prospects.
The importance is this summer.
Having a coach who knows your game and knows how to get the most out of him is an invaluable asset, especially for an athlete trying to refine his game.
But having a goalie coach who stays put, unlike in years past, is just as important.
After the summer ends, Naumovs will likely attend each training camp session, working with Sorokin and getting input from Greco and Terreri rather than heading back to Russia, as he's done in years past.
Of course, Sorokin wants to the reliable brick wall he was in 2022-23 when he was a Vezina finalist (2.34 GAA, .924 SV%).
But because of his contract, an eight-year deal worth $66 million ($8.25 M AAV), the Islanders NEED him to be that elite netminder if they want to compete.
Goalie coaches don't play the games, but Naumovs can certainly play a key role in Sorokin's much-needed bounceback, supporting him this summer and beyond.
Don't be surprised if Naumovs becomes Sorokin's goalie coach at the NHL level at some point.