Piero Greco has been overshadowed by Mitch Korn, but it's his coaching that has paid dividends for New York Islanders goaltenders since 2018.
Piero Greco has been overshadowed by Mitch Korn, but it's his coaching that has paid dividends for New York Islanders goaltenders since 2018.
For the first time since the arrival of the new regime on Long Island, when Lou Lamoriello became president and general manager in the summer of 2018, hiring Barry Trotz, the New York Islanders have made changes to their goaltending staff.
Legendary goalie coach Mitch Korn, who came over with Trotz, is out after six seasons. He is heading back to Nashville to work with Trotz again, who is about to enter his second season as the Predators' general manager.
For an organization like the Islanders, who went through a carousel of goaltenders after injuries derailed what was likely to be an incredible career for Rick DiPietro, they needed stability in that department.
Although the Islanders had three different starting goalies over the course of Korn's six years on the island, the team got some tremendous seasons from their goaltenders.
In 2018-19, it was first-year Islanders backstop Robin Lehner (2.13 GAA, .930 SV%) and Thomas Greiss (2.28, .927 SV%) who brought home the Jennings Trophy.
In 2019-20, Semyon Varlamov's first season on Long Island, he bounced back from a shaky final season in Colorado (2.87 GAA, .909 SV%), performing to a 2.62 GAA and a .914 SV%.
In 2020-21, Ilya Sorokin's first in the NHL after a successful career in Russia showcased the elite talent that the club expected, posting a 2.17 GAA with a .918 SV%, while Varlamov turned back the clocks, posting a career-bests with a 2.04 GAA with a .929 SV%, and seven shutouts.
In 2021-22, Varlamov took a step back, playing to a 2.90 GAA with a .911 SV%, while Sorokin, in 30 more games than his rookie season (22 to 52), owned a 2.40 GAA with a .925 SV%.
Sorokin became the No. 1 goaltender in 2022-23, posting a 2.34 GAA, a .924 SV%, and six shutouts. He ended his season as a Vezina finalist. Varlamov was sharper than the year prior, with a 2.70 GAA and a .913 SV%.
This past season was a doozy for Sorokin, who seemed lost in his nets more often than not. He ended his season with a 3.01 GAA and a 908 SV%, both career worsts.
The Islanders made the playoffs thanks to Varlamov, who performed to a 2.60 GAA with a .918 SV%.
Korn, deservingly so, gets a lot of credit for the performance of the Islanders' netminders.
But, the real mastermind since 2018 has been Piero Greco, who came over from the Toronto Maple Leafs with Lamoriello.
Greco is the goalie coach, the one who works with the Islanders' netminders on the ice every day, whether it's practice or morning skates.
Despite all the changes, with Chris Terreri being elevated from Bridgeport goalie coach to Korn's role as Director of Goaltending and Scouting and Sergei Naumovs coming from CSKA Moscow to take Terreri's old job, Greco will remain with the Islanders.
Greco has always been in Korn's shadow, but Lehner made it clear who ran the show a few years ago.
For those who know Lehner's stories regarding substance abuse and what he went through, his evaluation of people carries weight.
But he's right; no one ever mentions Greco, and he deserves more credit.
Starting his goalie coaching career with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack (2002-04), Greco spent six seasons with OHL's Barrie Colts (2004-2010) before a three-year stint with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers (2010-13).
Then, the year before Lamoriello left the New Jersey Devils to take the general manager role with Toronto, Greco was hired to be the goalie coach for the Toronto Marlies (2015-17) before coming to Long Island.
As mentioned in our latest story, Sorokin getting back on track is a need, not a want, for New York.
Although the Islanders' elite netminder has his former KHL goalie coach joining the organization, Greco is responsible for getting Sorokin back on track.