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On Thursday’ NHL Network released their top five goaltenders right now in the NHL.
What may come as a shock to some, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin came in at No. 5:
Here’s the full top-10 list:
The 29-year-old, who is entering the first of an eight-year deal with an $8.25 million cap hit, had a rough 2023-24 campaign.
Behind one of the league’s weakest defenses and penalty kill, Sorokin struggled to play to his ceiling, setting career worsts across the board, with a 3.01 GAA and a .908 SV%.
Related: Islanders Sorokin Pulled, Shifts Momentum After Carolina Hurricanes Score Third Goal
This came a year after being a Vezina finalist, where he sported a 2.34 GAA, a .924 SV%, and a league-leading six shutouts.
He was ranked No .3 heading into 2023-24, by the way.
Sorokin ended up losing the starting job to Semyon Varlamov down the stretch as the Islanders pushed for a playoff spot.
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He did get one playoff game but was pulled after allowing three goals on 14 shots early in Game 3.
But, behind what should be a better defense, a deeper lineup, and a more responsible group under Patrick Roy, Sorokin should have every chance to show that last season was just a one-off.
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