Good Morning, Islanders Country
What, exactly, does Ilya Sorokin have to do?
It’s a fair question — and at this point in the season, it’s one that deserves a serious answer. Because if the Vezina Trophy is about identifying the most valuable goaltender in the NHL, then Sorokin’s body of work demands more than just consideration. It demands recognition.
Start with the context. The New York Islanders are not a defensive powerhouse. By most measures, they rank near the bottom of the league in limiting high-danger opportunities. Breakdowns happen. Chances pile up. And yet, night after night, Sorokin is the one cleaning it all up.
His numbers reflect that burden — and his dominance.
He leads the NHL in save percentage from the slot, one of the most dangerous scoring areas on the ice. He leads in quality starts, consistently outperforming expectations based on shot volume and difficulty. He sits atop the league in goals saved above expected and shutouts.
And then there’s the number that may define his season best: 14 goalie steals.
That’s 14 games in which Sorokin was the primary reason the Islanders earned two points. Remove even a portion of those, and the Isles aren’t in the playoff race at all. That is value.
