Ilya Sorokin's agent makes direct statement on trade rumors

Yesterday, Sorkin's agent Dan Milstein officially announced on social media that the trade rumors about his client were false, and further suggested that reports are often make solely for the purpose of creating a buzz.

In fact, Oilers Daily reported on the Ilya Sorokin trade rumor on July 8, citing a report Frank Serevalli had made on the Kevin Karius Show, that the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth were entertaining a draft day deal, as well as a separate deal that would see goalie Ilya Sorkin traded.

The New York Islanders are, in fact, retooling their lineup, and reports suggest they are making trades to stockpile draft picks; but the general consensus around the league is that any trade would not include Ilya Sorokin, for several reasons.

The most obvious, and general reason, is the need for goaltending is at an all-time high, increasing demand considerably for top goaltenders. Ilya Sorkin is a top-five goaltender and would command a very high asking price. According to Jean Corville-Lynch of The Hockey Writers, for the Oilers that price is two first-round picks, Matt Savoie, Beau Akie, and a second-round pick.

Ilya Sorokin is in year two of an eight-year contract, with an $8.25M cap hit. Given the star goalie's high price, however, and his no-trade-clause, it's unlikely Sorokin will be moved, despite the Oilers' need for quality goaltending.

The 26 year-old Stuart Skinner's cap hit is a very affordable $3M in 2025-26, but his stats were just league-average, with a 2.88 GAA and .893 SV%. Calvin Pickard's were also average (2.71 GAA and .900 SV%), though the numbers were not unreasonable when you consider his $1M cap hit.

Both Oilers goalies, incidentally, will be entering the final year of their contract, making the need for a quality netminder a pressing issue for the club's front office.

All told, the Edmonton Oilers have confidence in the two netminders and by all accounts will be starting next season with Skinner and Pickard. Nevertheless, whether reports of the Islander's interest in trading Ilya Sorokin are true, or otherwise, the fact remains that the Oilers do need a starting goalie for the 2026-27 season, and perhaps sooner, depending on how the first part of next season unfolds in net.