Between now and the start of the regular season, Ilya Sorokin will work hard to get back into shape, but there is a good chance that he will not play the opening match.
The New York Islanders goaltender’s health is improving day by day. However, he did not play a preparatory match and he will have to find his rhythm again. Sorokin gives the benefit of the doubt to head coach Patrick Roy, who has remained enigmatic at this level.
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“The coaching staff has done a good job over the last two months, so I feel good, mentally and physically,” the Russian told the media on Thursday. I’m going to do everything I can to be ready for the opening match, but it’s Roy’s decision.
“We re-evaluate it daily. We don’t know what tomorrow brings, so I prefer to take it day by day. We will give him time, that’s for sure,” said Roy.
There’s a good chance it’ll be veteran Semyeon Varlamov who will be dispatched for the Islanders’ first game next Thursday against Utah at UBS Arena. Marcus Hogberg could be his deputy.
Sorokin will begin a fifth campaign in the National League. Being considered one of the best in his profession, he had a more difficult season in 2023-2024 with a goals against average of 2.99 and an efficiency rate of .909.
His back surgery undergone this summer should allow him to regain his level of play.
“I had a very good summer without frustration,” he explained. It was my first operation and it was a relief. I found a new muscle in my body. The summer with the coaching staff, the therapists, it was a lot of work. It was very difficult.”
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