Islanders Address Ilya Sorokin Injury Concerns

The start of the 2024-25 NHL season is less than a month away and New York Islanders fans are wondering what's going on with goaltender Ilya Sorokin. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported early in September that the 29-year-old is "battling something" and that the Islanders "won't say anything" regarding the situation.

Clarity regarding Sorokin's outlook was finally provided by the team on Friday, September 13.

Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that while his starting netminder sustained an upper-body injury during the club's offseason training, the team isn't worried about Sorokin missing any time outside of training camp, per Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News.

"[Sorokin] is skating but there's nothing we are concerned about," Lamoriello clarified, via Rosner . When asked about any potential off-ice issues between the goaltender and the club, the Islanders GM added that he was "shocked and have no knowledge" about any issues.

"There is no one with a more impeccable character than Ilya Sorokin," Lamoriello stated in support of his netminder.

The Islanders can only succeed if Sorokin is healthy to begin the 2024-25 campaign, hence why Lamoriello is likely being cautious with him. The veteran goaltender has been one of the best players at his position since he debuted during the 2020-21 season, proven by his finishing 10th or better in Vezina Trophy voting in each of the last three years.

Whenever he does hit the ice, Sorokin will be looking to rebound from a somewhat underwhelming 2023-24 performance. Although he helped the Islanders reach the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, he left fans wanting more as he backstopped his way to a 25-19-12 record with a .908 save percentage, 3.01 goals-against average and two shutouts.

Even though Sorokin's return timeline isn't officially concrete, that hasn't stopped Islanders fans from sharing their excitement on social media.

"Fearmongers be damned," one Islanders fan wrote. "There is no concern with Ilya Sorokin."

"And there you have it. Can we end the mindless speculation?" another fan added, clearly frustrated by the rumors that had been swirling around.

"Unless it's his noggin or his back, upper-body something is a best-case scenario for a goalie injury," another relieved fan chimed in.

Sorokin's importance to the Islanders' future success cannot be understated, so let's hope he has a full recovery before the 2024-25 NHL season begins in October.

Related: NJ Devils’ Top Defenseman Set to Miss 2 Months with Injury