NHL insider reveals elite goaltender was nearly traded at draft, may be on chopping block
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The Edmonton Oilers are in dire need of acquiring a true goaltending upgrade, and one option that could be traded is Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin.
After free agency, the Oilers have no targets left to sign, and may have to turn to the trade market. The New York Islanders are one team that may be open to moving a goalie with Sorokin, Varlamov, and Rittich all under contract.
NHL insider suggests Ilya Sorokin was almost traded at Draft to Utah Mammoth
According to a recent update from NHL insider Frank Seravalli on the Kevin Karius show, the Islanders may have had trade discussions to move Sorokin in a deal that involved the 4th overall draft pick.
So I do think that at varying points, there's been some conversation around Sorokin. Like, I thought, and sources indicated, that there might have been some kind of draft day deal that involved Utah and the number four pick as part of a Hagens deal, that the Islanders were trying to work.
- Frank Seravalli
- Frank Seravalli
The Islanders were clearly interested in moving up in the draft to select the New York prospect James Hagens, but even considering a trade for Sorokin may tip the hand for the Islanders.
They clearly don't have to trade him yet, but moving Sorokin in the near future makes sense for New York. Not expecting to be a playoff team and just after selecting 1st overall, the Islanders trading Sorokin would net them a major package back and lower them in the standings - which would help them rebuild.
Even from the biggest Stuart Skinner defenders, no one can argue that Ilya Sorokin would be a bona fide upgrade. The 29 year old Russian has a career .917 save percentage and has started more than 52 games for the last four seasons.
The only issue for the Oilers would be meeting the high trade price and fitting in his $8.25M salary, but if Sorokin's name is actually out there in trade talks, Edmonton needs to be all over it.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 8 | 642 ANSWERS NHL insider reveals elite goaltender was nearly traded at draft, may be on chopping block Do you think the Oilers should pay up with a massive offer for Sorokin? | ||
| Yes | 435 | 67.8 % |
| No | 207 | 32.2 % |
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