After signing an eight-year, $66 million contract extension with the New York Islanders last summer, Ilya Sorokin had the worst season of his professional hockey career. According to Money Puck, the netminder posted a 25-19-12 record, a .909 save percentage (SV%), a 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and a better than expected 1.4 goals saved (GSAx). The former Vezina Trophy finalist also showed signs of organizational uncertainty as he lost his starting spot to Semyon Varlamov towards the end of the season.
This list has to be predicated on stating that the chances of Sorokin being traded are very slim. When he's in games, he's the best goaltender in the NHL, so moving him after a lackluster season could be disastrous. But there are several reasons why moving him makes sense, including his contract, the pending no-trade clause set to go into effect on July 1, and Varlamov's play. In the unlikely scenario that he gets shopped, who would be interested?
toronto maple leafs
It's not a trade bait board unless you mention the Toronto Maple Leafs. A team that has struggled at goaltending ever since Sorokin went to diapers is sure to have interest in the star goaltender. Toronto has gone from goaltender to goaltender in recent seasons, struggling to find consistency in both performance and health. Adding Sorokin could be the change the team thinks they need to win a Stanley Cup, and they have the assets to pull off a trade.
Related article: Ilya Sorokin's days as an islander may be over
A key presence for Toronto is their “core four,” most notably Mitch Marner. Given that contract extensions for William Nylander and Auston Matthews begin this offseason and John Tavares' reunion on Long Island will never happen, Marner could be sent to the Islanders. It's not 1:1, but their values are almost the same.
It's impossible to measure the value of a trade, and that's not what I'm trying to do here, but it's an interesting idea and an interesting one. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello's previous team is Toronto, and he is familiar with much of the Maple Leafs' current roster. He also didn't hesitate to make big trades once he found something that suited him. Lamoriello is notoriously tight-lipped, so fans likely won't know a trade is in the works until it happens, but it's impossible to imagine preliminary conversations taking place at this point. isn't it.
ottawa senator
The Ottawa Senators were expected to have a great 2023-24 season, but they fell just 13 points from a playoff spot and fired their head coach in the process. The main reason for the team's lack of success was goaltending, with starter Joonas Korpisalo having a disastrous season with a 21-26-4 record, 3.27 GAA, .890% SV, and -16.1 GSAx, second to last. sent. NHL. The team had a number of issues that led to shortcomings, but goaltending is definitely at the top of that list.
Like Toronto, it would be difficult to facilitate a trade for Sorokin, but not impossible. From Ottawa's perspective, the trade targets would be seventh overall pick Jacob Chychurun, Shane Pinto, and the Boston Bruins' 2024 first-round pick. It is said that none of these works are worth as much, more, or less than Sorokin, as it is very difficult to measure their value, but rather that they are merely assets that can be used in hypothetical transactions. Masu.
carolina hurricanes
Once again, I have to say how unrealistic the Sorokin trade is. But if he does get a chance to shop, it's hard to imagine the Carolina Hurricanes not being at the forefront of the sweepstakes. A team that has had more goaltending turnovers than any other team in recent seasons is sure to be aggressive in acquiring Sorokin. General manager Don Waddell has also shown no hesitation in acquiring superstars, as evidenced by the acquisition of Jake Guentzel at the 2024 trade deadline. Carolina will be tight on the salary cap this offseason, but even if they don't reach the Stanley Cup this year, they may be willing to make a move to the majors.
What the Hurricanes lack most is assets. The Islanders will have first- and second-round draft picks in future seasons, as well as quality youth forwards like Martin Necas, Jackson Blake and Bradley Nadeau. Of course, Carolina may not necessarily be buying these items, but these are all names that could come up in trade talks. However, if they were to pursue Sorokin, they would likely have to outbid other suitors, as he resides within the Islander sector.
edmonton oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have probably had the most frustrating experience with goaltending in recent seasons. As Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl reach their primes, the team may feel the need to make major acquisitions to help solve the problem. The 2024 offseason may be the last such big move, as Draisaitl's contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season and McDavid's contract expires the following season.
The biggest hurdle for Edmonton to overcome will be staying cap compliant. To do that, they would have to release Jack Campbell from his contract, something the Islanders would be reluctant to do. Edmonton could acquire Campbell or spend the assets to dump his contract elsewhere.
In a trade, the Islanders would target skaters Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Dylan Holloway and Matt Copponi and goaltender Stuart Skinner, along with some of Edmonton's draft capital. A trade for Sorokin and Edmonton seems the least likely of the teams listed above, but it's hard to imagine they wouldn't at least inquire.
los angeles kings
The Los Angeles Kings have been more active in the goaltending market than anyone else lately. Rumors of trade targets for the Kings have ranged from Linus Ullmark to Jacob Markstrom and now Darcy Kuemper. They will be tight on the salary cap, but they have the assets needed to pull off a trade. General manager Rob Blake has also expressed a desire to pursue a blockbuster deal if he deems it a good fit. But time will tell how he solves his crease issues.
As trade rumors continue to mount, Sorokin remains one of the least likely trade candidates to actually move. Not only does it not make sense to move on from a player like Sorokin, it's hard to imagine Lamoriello walking away from him. But in the crazy scenario where he gets shopped, the Islanders would be in line with teams bidding for the netminder.
