Sorokin, meet Schwarzenegger.
“I’ll be back,” the netminder declared Friday after a season that didn’t resemble the Terminator.
How Ilya Sorokin went from being a Vezina Trophy finalist with a shutout to a near-league-average performance and being pulled after giving up 3 runs on 14 shots in his only start in the playoffs, including himself. It’s difficult to explain to anyone.
But as a long summer begins for the Islanders, the goals for Sorokin over the next four months are clear. It’s about finding your play again.
“I want to start skating on Monday,” he said. “Of course, this season is very fresh in my mind.”
Despite being a stretch-run backup for Semyon Varlamov, Sorokin finished the regular season facing more shots than any netminder except for Nashville’s Jose Saros, who played eight more games than him. finished.
This, in addition to the 62 games Sorokin played in 2022-2023, provides a potential explanation for why his game has been a mess.
“I think it’s due to a number of factors,” Sorokin said. “January and February were tough because we had a lot of games. Goalkeepers, I think it’s all about the details. You have to control the details.”
Varlamov, who has proven he is capable of taking on a higher workload than he was given over the past few seasons, offered an observation that indirectly criticized Lane Lambert’s handling of the rotation in net.
“I know Ilya can play 60.” [games], I know I have the ability to play even at 60,” he said. “But I personally think that even if a No. 1 goaltender plays 60, 65 games, I don’t think he’s going to be able to move forward and play in the playoffs. If you want to get to the top of the playoffs, you need to be the starter. We have to make sure our No. 1 goalie is fit and fresh.”
In any case, he was sure that Sorokin would return in the fall.
“For me, he’s always been a top-five goalie in the league,” Varlamov said. “And he’s going to continue to play great for this organization, this team, and he just needed to mentally reset, step away from hockey and not think about hockey. Have a good summer of training and come back next season mentally refreshed and in good physical condition. ”
Oliver Wahlstrom, who became a restricted free agent this summer, declined to comment when asked if he would like to return to the Islanders, who were unable to establish themselves in the lineup this season.
“Let’s see. It’s me and Lou’s decision. [Lamoriello],” he said. “We talked a lot. He helps me a lot through the ups and downs. Let’s see how it plays out.”
Lamoriello declined to say whether the assistant coaching staff will return next season, but said he expects director of goalkeeping Mitch Cone to return.
