Key Takeaways
- Sorokin brushed off offseason trade talk, highlighting his full no-trade clause that makes a move highly unlikely until at least 2028.
- He praised teammate Alexander Romanov’s new long-term deal while expressing surprise at the team trading away star defenseman Noah Dobson.
- The Islanders goalie expects minimal change from himself amid the NHL’s relaxed dress code, joking he’ll stick to his classic navy suit.
Sorokin net for the Islanders (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
In his calm and measured way, Ilya Sorokin has always let his game speak louder than his words. But when the New York Islanders goaltender sat down with RG Media for an off-season interview, he didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts on recent roster changes, the team’s future, and the NHL’s evolving dress code.
With his name unexpectedly surfacing in offseason trade chatter, Sorokin quickly shut down any speculation.
“I wasn’t surprised by the rumors—it’s part of the business,” he said. “What did surprise me, though, was how seriously people took them, even though everyone knows I have a no-trade clause. But overall—let them talk.”
Sorokin has seven years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $8.25 million. He holds a full no-movement clause until 2028, when it shifts to a 16-team no-trade clause. In other words, the idea of him being moved any time soon is more fiction than fact.
Supporting Romanov—and Saying Goodbye to Dobson
Sorokin was more animated when discussing his teammate and friend Alexander Romanov, who signed a new long-term deal with the Islanders this summer.
“I’m really happy for Sasha and his family. He’s a great guy and a great player,” Sorokin said. “Over the past couple of years, he’s grown a lot and matured. But honestly, it wasn’t a surprise—it’s something he earned with his hard work.”
Romanov’s extension came at a cost: the team’s decision to trade star defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens.
“That one surprised me,” Sorokin admitted. “But realistically, the team couldn’t keep both Romanov and Dobson. The salary cap forces tough decisions—it’s business. Dobson got a good deal in Montreal, and I wish him nothing but success.”
On Rookie Matthew Schaefer and a Shifting Roster
The Islanders’ first overall pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, will join the organization with major expectations—and Sorokin knows the pressure that comes with such a title.
“When a team picks someone first overall, it always comes with big expectations—and big pressure,” he said. “We’ll help him however we can. We’ll do everything to help him adjust and contribute to winning games.”
With Dobson gone and a new face arriving, the dynamic on the blue line is shifting—but Sorokin remains focused on his role.
Patrick Roy’s Approach and Trust in the System
Islanders coach Patrick Roy—a legendary goalie in his own right—has taken a light-touch approach with Sorokin and his fellow netminders.
“He doesn’t get too involved with the goalies—he has a lot on his plate,” Sorokin said. “During the season, he gave some advice, but that only happened a couple of times. Overall, he trusts the goalie coach, and that’s who runs most of our training.”
That separation, according to Sorokin, has been working just fine.
Fashion Forward? Not Quite
With the NHL recently lifting its long-standing game-day dress code, players around the league are beginning to embrace more personal expression. But don’t expect a wardrobe revolution from Sorokin. In a recent interview with RG, Romanov said: “I know one guy on our team, a goalie, who would definitely take it too far if all the rules were lifted!”.
“It’ll be interesting to see how guys express themselves,” Sorokin said with a smile. “I don’t think NHL players will go as far as NBA players—some of them dress pretty wild. For me, it won’t change much. I’ll keep wearing my navy suit like always.”
As the Islanders prepare for a season of transition, Sorokin’s presence in net—and his steady voice in the room—remain two of the team’s most valuable assets.
