Ilya Sorokin chat After a few years where their goalie depth was exposed, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] went out and addressed it. Or so we thought. On May 7, the Islanders signed Marcus Hogberg, who hasn’t played in the NHL since 2021, to serve as their third-string goaltender. With Ilya Sorokin coming off back surgery and Semyon Varlamov missing a few weeks in each of the last two seasons, it made sense to have a third, trustworthy option after having Ken Appleby last year and Cory Schneider the year before — non-options. "We learn by experience, no matter how old we get," Lamoriello said before training camp "Last year, we got caught a little with depth, so we made sure we have depth in our goaltending. As far as who that will be, I think we all know who number one and number two are… and then after that, I’m excited to see the competition, and I’m hoping we have a difficult choice to make, whoever that might be.” Flash-forward to now, and Varlamov has been nowhere to be found since Dec. 3, landing on long-term injury reserve with a lower-body injury, while Sorokin has played 11 straight games, getting weaker by the start. He needs a rest even if the schedule is light enough. There’s a back-to-back with the Pittsburgh Penguins coming up on Saturday and Sunday, and if Hogberg isn’t an option -- Hogberg has made two relief appearances stopping all 17 shots that came his way--the Islanders need to find an option on the trade market quickly. The argument that the Islanders have to win these games hence Sorokin has to start, isn't a fair argument anymore because they keep losing those games. Who is an option on the trade market? Look no further than Alex Lyon, a goalie who has been a thorn in their backside this season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjI0NDQ2NjQzOTM4ODUx/usatsi_24817880.jpg] The Detroit Red Wings goaltender swept the Islanders this season in three starts, owning a 1.00 GAA with a .963 SV% in those games. On the season, he’s 5-5-0, with a 3.09 GAA, a .894 SV%, and a shutout. He’s on an expiring deal worth $900,000. Prospect Sebastian Cossa is their future in goal, and Lyon is likely on the move anyway. Lyon would cost a mid-to-late round pick, and whether the Islanders are going nowhere or somewhere this season, Sorokin needs support and someone who the team can trust to take starts off his hand.
