IBO Boxing Honesty and Integrity
The rumor mill is churning today and Ilya Sorokin is supposedly in the mix.
Earlier today, the New York Rangers recalled stud prospect Igor Shesterkin, and somehow it lead to a Sorokin rumor floating about.
The status of Sorokin coming oversees from the KHL to the NHL is still certainly as unknown as it has ever been, despite whatever report you may have seen that either told you he requested a trade away from Long Island or that he has a KHL contract on the table.
The truth is — No one knows what is going to happen with Sorokin but him, his agent, and possibly Lou Lamoriello. However, this possible development does beg the question: If Lamoriello is looking to move Sorokin, why didn’t he just keep Robin Lehner instead of signing Semyon Varlamov, the supposed bridge for Sorokin to reach Long Island?
Again, no one but the previously mentioned parties would know the answer to that question.
There’s no doubt that Sorokin solidified his name in the KHL as the best goaltender in the league. Net-minding the CSKA Moskva, Sorokin boasts a 1.62 goals against average and a .930 save percentage in 29 appearances this year. Venture back in his career in the KHL, and you will find his numbers have relatively been in that range. To add to his accolades, he is a five-time KHL All-Star, Gagarin Cup Champion, and brought home the Olympic Gold for Russia in 2018.
Despite all that success, what would a guy like Sorokin retrieve? He’s unproven at the NHL level, not having played a single second on this side of the world.
The hype around Sorokin is real, but with all of the question marks around his name — as to if he would actually make his way over to North America — it is unlikely any general manager would give much of a haul in a deal involving Sorokin. Although, when looking around the league, there are plenty of teams who need goaltending help. A few that come to mind are San Jose, Calgary, and maybe even Ottawa once veteran Craig Anderson’s tenure with the Senators is up.
So what might a trade look like? Maybe a top 6 forward could be acquired in the form of an unrestricted free agent to be following the 2020 season or if a high draft pick were to be included in the uncertainty of Sorokin.
Here’s a few scenarios:
San Jose
To San Jose Sharks:
Ilya Sorokin
2020 1st round pick
2020 3rd round pick
To New York Islanders:
Timo Meier
Meier just signed a four year, $24 million contract with the Sharks, one year after a 30goal, 66 point year. This season, he is halfway to his second 30-goal season. At just 23 years old, he fits the mold of the young goal scorer Islanders fans are craving.
Calgary
To Calgary Flames:
Ilya Sorokin
2020 1st round pick
2020 3rd round pick
To New York Islanders:
Elias Lindholm
Elias Lindholm is another top 6 forward who’s age (25 years old) and contract (four years left at $4.85 million AAV) fit the mold to give the Islanders the kind of forward that would put the team over the hump playoff team, to Stanley Cup Contender.
Ottawa
To Ottawa Senators:
Ilya Sorokin
2020 2nd round pick
To New York Islanders:
J.G. Pageau or Anthony Duclair
2020 4th round pick
or
To Ottawa Senators:
Ilya Sorokin
2020 1st round pick
To New York Islanders:
J.G. Pageau
and
Anthony Duclair
Both Duclair and Pageau are UFA’s to be, so this would be a big risk in giving a high pick and a high end prospect, but both forwards fit needs, as Duclair is having a career year and was just named an All-Star, and JG Pageau should earn a Last Man Standing roster spot on the Atlantic Division All-Star team.
