G Ilya Sorokin (2014, 78th, NYI)

[The Winter Soldier]

Please explain why CSKA would let go their superstar No. 1 goalie for nothing when there's zero leverage against them. Perhaps then someone might take your points seriously.

Datsyuk had a year remaining in his NHL contract, but was released to play in the KHL. Same principal, if the player expressed interest in playing in the KHL or NHL, and no transfer agreement was in place. In this case Detroit did release the player. Again, I am not saying it will happen for Sorokin, but this isn't a done deal if Datsyuk was allowed to leave for the KHL with a year left on his deal is it?

 

[Newsworthy]

No guarantee Sorokin will ever play in the NHL. That's the risk you take with drafting these guys. He can make plenty of cash in the KHL and be closer to his family.
Best bet is Ilya coming over two seasons from now.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

No guarantee Sorokin will ever play in the NHL. That's the risk you take with drafting these guys. He can make plenty of cash in the KHL and be closer to his family.
Best bet is Ilya coming over two seasons from now.

Igor Eronko reported that part of his reluctance to not come over was Snow was the GM. Now that Lamoriello is the GM, that has all changed. I doubt this would will be the case anymore with the Isles having Trotz, Lou, and Korn all in charge now.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Are there Islander fans and media who belittle Sorokin’s stats because he plays in a league they don’t watch?

I’m tired of hearing this stuff from those who’ve never seen these KHL goalies play. Ranger fans and media spout it and I’m sure it applies to our rivals. I know Lehner had a good season, but Sorokin has put up historic numbers at times in the KHL. He’s a superstar goalie prospect. If the Islanders are going anywhere under their current generation, this guy better turn into a top 10 goalie in the league. There are certain talents a team drafts or acquired that they must turn into impact NHL’ers. The eventual Cup Contenders are the teams that don’t have these players bust. Same thing for my team, as well. I think the amount of good goalies coming up at the same time has overshadowed all of them. They all have to share the spotlight. It’s also easier to praise Hart or Samsonov who have played in the favored league of the NA hockey media.

 

[Newsworthy]

Are there Islander fans and media who belittle Sorokin’s stats because he plays in a league they don’t watch?

I’m tired of hearing this stuff from those who’ve never seen these KHL goalies play. Ranger fans and media spout it and I’m sure it applies to our rivals. I know Lehner had a good season, but Sorokin has put up historic numbers at times in the KHL. He’s a superstar goalie prospect. If the Islanders are going anywhere under their current generation, this guy better turn into a top 10 goalie in the league. There are certain talents a team drafts or acquired that they must turn into impact NHL’ers. The eventual Cup Contenders are the teams that don’t have these players bust. Same thing for my team, as well. I think the amount of good goalies coming up at the same time has overshadowed all of them. They all have to share the spotlight. It’s also easier to praise Hart or Samsonov who have played in the favored league of the NA hockey media.

I haven't seen one NY Islander fan on HF Boards not excited about Sorokin. I'd like to see those Ranger fans who question Igor. Instead I see plenty of hype and support for both studs.
Granted I don't really read Ranger boards so I can only speak for fellow Islander fans. We all feel Sorokin is the best goalie prospect in the World. Problem is NY fans are used to drafting busts and underachievers. When you lose for so long you expect failure. Hopefully Sorokin is a franchise goalie and helps turn things around.
That's the attitude that I've seen. High hopes for the young Russian.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Are there Islander fans and media who belittle Sorokin’s stats because he plays in a league they don’t watch?

I’m tired of hearing this stuff from those who’ve never seen these KHL goalies play. Ranger fans and media spout it and I’m sure it applies to our rivals. I know Lehner had a good season, but Sorokin has put up historic numbers at times in the KHL. He’s a superstar goalie prospect. If the Islanders are going anywhere under their current generation, this guy better turn into a top 10 goalie in the league. There are certain talents a team drafts or acquired that they must turn into impact NHL’ers. The eventual Cup Contenders are the teams that don’t have these players bust. Same thing for my team, as well. I think the amount of good goalies coming up at the same time has overshadowed all of them. They all have to share the spotlight. It’s also easier to praise Hart or Samsonov who have played in the favored league of the NA hockey media.

I have not seen any Isles fans on their board not high on Sorokin. Some are more cautious, some more bullish.

For me, as a NHL prospects guy, I don't look at Russian or Finnish goalies as any less than OHL/QMJHL/WHL goalies. Infact Goalies that are playing in Liiga or the KHL I would say have the edge. Pro league vs Juniors.

I can only speak for myself, but Sorokin IMO is one of the top affiliate ranked players in the NHL. If Button has Kravtsov as #1, then Sorokin is not too far behind at all, if not even in my mind.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I haven't seen one NY Islander fan on HF Boards not excited about Sorokin. I'd like to see those Ranger fans who question Igor. Instead I see plenty of hype and support for both studs.
Granted I don't really read Ranger boards so I can only speak for fellow Islander fans. We all feel Sorokin is the best goalie prospect in the World. Problem is NY fans are used to drafting busts and underachievers. When you lose for so long you expect failure. Hopefully Sorokin is a franchise goalie and helps turn things around.
That's the attitude that I've seen. High hopes for the young Russian.

Start with certain fans questioning whether he’s better than a .905 NHL goalie whose the same age as he is. Take a look at the NYP KHL hit piece in December from the guy who they’ve now assigned to the Isles beat.

Sorokin almost can’t be a bust. He was undrafted in his first time around and has become one of the best players outside the NHL. Not all players from the KHL adapt to the NHL. It’s usually the more marginal ones who don’t, but I guess it’s possible that one of these days one of the star prospects will create another Radulov scenario.

Sorokin is the highest floor player in the Isles system and I know that the conventional talking point says that Dobson is, but consider what they’ve both proven so far. I’m also no Dobson hater. I wanted my team to draft him at 9 last year. All of this comes from the Russia-phobia in hockey. Their attitudes are unreliable, their stats are unreliable, they come from a different culture, the hockey in the KHL is too foreign. I’m not saying most think that way, but some do and we all know that there would never be the same attitude about a player from Minneapolis or Mississauga. Fans never talk about having too many Americans or Canadians on an NHL team.

It’s also unfair to these Russian players because “whether they will bust” is talked about so much more. There’s more negativity and doubt about Russian prospects. It would be nice if eventually NHL fans and media could start talking about Russian prospects in the KHL in the same way they talk about the ones in the NCAA or CHL.

 

[JoukoPouko]

Datsyuk had a year remaining in his NHL contract, but was released to play in the KHL. Same principal, if the player expressed interest in playing in the KHL or NHL, and no transfer agreement was in place. In this case Detroit did release the player. Again, I am not saying it will happen for Sorokin, but this isn't a done deal if Datsyuk was allowed to leave for the KHL with a year left on his deal is it?

Detroit released Datsyuk because he could have just retired if they didn't. Sorokin is not going to retire. He has zero leverage. I don't understand how it's so difficult to understand that. Would the Islanders release Barzal from his current contract if he suddenly wanted to go to the KHL? That's the same thing as CSKA releasing Sorokin.

A ton of KHL players have expressed interest in playing in the NHL but they don't get released if the KHL team in question sees any value in that player. Only players who aren't really good enough to play in the KHL get released while they still have term remaining.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Detroit released Datsyuk because he could have just retired if they didn't. Sorokin is not going to retire. He has zero leverage. I don't understand how it's so difficult to understand that. Would the Islanders release Barzal from his current contract if he suddenly wanted to go to the KHL? That's the same thing as CSKA releasing Sorokin.

A ton of KHL players have expressed interest in playing in the NHL but they don't get released if the KHL team in question sees any value in that player. Only players who aren't really good enough to play in the KHL get released while they still have term remaining.

From my understanding Detroit released him from his contract, because Datsyuk wanted to return to his native Russia, where his daughter from his first marriage resided. He also wanted to play before homeland fans. This is when he signed a two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, and re-upped it last April. So obviously NHL and KHL players could potentially move between leagues while under contract. This was my point.

Now again, I am not saying Sorokin is moving to the NHL next year. Only that there is a possibility there is an out. When people have claimed there is no out at all. What I am saying is factual, and what you are saying are 2 entirely different things.

 

[JoukoPouko]

From my understanding Detroit released him from his contract, because Datsyuk wanted to return to his native Russia, where his daughter from his first marriage resided. He also wanted to play before homeland fans. This is when he signed a two-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg, and re-upped it last April. So obviously NHL and KHL players could potentially move between leagues while under contract. This was my point.

Now again, I am not saying Sorokin is moving to the NHL next year. Only that there is a possibility there is an out. When people have claimed there is no out at all. What I am saying is factual, and what you are saying are 2 entirely different things.

Datsyuk retired from the NHL when he left for the KHL. He didn't have a valid contract in the NHL at the time.

There is no out for Sorokin. What you're saying is not factual. The only way he could leave the KHL is if CSKA decided to release him from his contract but they would never do that.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Datsyuk retired from the NHL when he left for the KHL. He didn't have a valid contract in the NHL at the time.

There is no out for Sorokin. What you're saying is not factual. The only way he could leave the KHL is if CSKA decided to release him from his contract but they would never do that.

Sorry, you just contradicted yourself.

And again, I will keep saying this until it sinks in. I am not saying it will happen. But reiterating that there is no way Sorokin can play in the NHL next year. As in zero chance. Is not accurate.

 

[JoukoPouko]

Sorry, you just contradicted yourself.

And again, I will keep saying this until it sinks in. I am not saying it will happen. But reiterating that there is no way Sorokin can play in the NHL next year. As in zero chance. Is not accurate.

Sure, just like there's a chance McDavid and Crosby go to the KHL next season.

 

[StreetHawk]

No guarantee Sorokin will ever play in the NHL. That's the risk you take with drafting these guys. He can make plenty of cash in the KHL and be closer to his family.
Best bet is Ilya coming over two seasons from now.

The NHL CBA says that players 24 and older only need to sign a 1 year ELC contract. Sorokin turns 24 in August. If he is able to finish his KHL season before the end of the Islanders 19-20 season, he should be able to sign his 1 year ELC deal with the Islanders and get into a game, thus burning his ELC year then be able to sign a new contract in the summer and get paid what he is making in the KHL.

Vancouver Canucks just signed Josh Teves, a 24 year old Dman from Princeton to a 1 year deal, which burns when he plays a game for them this season, and he will be a RFA in the summer.

That's the best case for the Isles and Sorokin to get him over here at the start of the 20-21 season. You can give him a 1-2 year deal in the $2-$3 million range per after his ELC expires. That keeps him as a RFA before his next contract.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Are there Islander fans and media who belittle Sorokin’s stats because he plays in a league they don’t watch?

No?

 

[Newsworthy]

Start with certain fans questioning whether he’s better than a .905 NHL goalie whose the same age as he is. Take a look at the NYP KHL hit piece in December from the guy who they’ve now assigned to the Isles beat.

Sorokin almost can’t be a bust. He was undrafted in his first time around and has become one of the best players outside the NHL. Not all players from the KHL adapt to the NHL. It’s usually the more marginal ones who don’t, but I guess it’s possible that one of these days one of the star prospects will create another Radulov scenario.

Sorokin is the highest floor player in the Isles system and I know that the conventional talking point says that Dobson is, but consider what they’ve both proven so far. I’m also no Dobson hater. I wanted my team to draft him at 9 last year. All of this comes from the Russia-phobia in hockey. Their attitudes are unreliable, their stats are unreliable, they come from a different culture, the hockey in the KHL is too foreign. I’m not saying most think that way, but some do and we all know that there would never be the same attitude about a player from Minneapolis or Mississauga. Fans never talk about having too many Americans or Canadians on an NHL team.

It’s also unfair to these Russian players because “whether they will bust” is talked about so much more. There’s more negativity and doubt about Russian prospects. It would be nice if eventually NHL fans and media could start talking about Russian prospects in the KHL in the same way they talk about the ones in the NCAA or CHL.

I think goaltenders are in a different class when talking about prospects and busts.
Many North Americans bust and it's hard to accurately evaluate the position of goaltender. Because of this I think the KHL has a huge advantage when it cones to media and fan coverage.
The KHL is a low scoring league so fans look at how many PPG Nikita Gusev's averages. It's the second best professional hockey league in the Workd. Sorokin and the like have eye popping numbers. But it's also better league for evaluating goalies than the AHL.
So I agree the Russian bias is real but not so much with goalies.

 

[Caser]

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

CSKA was outshot by 25 shots. Sorokin completely outplayed Hellberg. I think CSKA's going to win this series. SKA isn't that good this season.

 

[justafan22]

When do they no longer have his rights?

 

[boredmale]

When do they no longer have his rights?

Given he was born Born Aug 4 1995, that means he becomes a UFA when he is 27 which I believe would mean July 1, 2023

 

[Kevin27NYI]

I really can't with his movement.. how does he push off back left? I can't see it.

 

[StreetHawk]

Given he was born Born Aug 4 1995, that means he becomes a UFA when he is 27 which I believe would mean July 1, 2023

If he feels that he is developing fine in the K and earning a much bigger contract all the more power to him. He can play in the NHL having done a minimal amount in an ELC if he signs late next season to burn his required year.

 

[Caser]

 

[Gargyn]

Great goalie. But that was a terrible shot. He had 3/4 of the net to shoot at and shot it to the 1/4 he didn’t have.

 

[SI90]

Out dueled his buddy Sheshty for the win today.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Out dueled his buddy Sheshty for the win today.

It wasn't much of a duel between goalies today. They had little to do with the score. The last time they played in the regular season, it was closer to a duel won by Sorokin. The CSKA coach has completely out-coached the SKA coach in this series so far and all season. CSKA is the better team, while SKA is way more talented.

CSKA parks their whole team in front of their goalie, waits for SKA errors, and then counters for good scoring chances. Sorokin faced a lot of shots today, but low quality. Shestyorkin faced few shots, but high quality.