The New York Islanders made noise during the 2025 offseason. Their draft haul impressed, headlined by first overall pick Matthew Schaefer. But their main roster tells a different story entirely.
The Islanders face questions about their core after missing the playoffs for the first time in three years. Chief among them is starting goalie Ilya Sorokin’s health. His late-season injury sidelined him when they needed him most. With training camps approaching, a new video suggests the $66 million goaltender might be ready for the season opener.
How Ready Is Ilya Sorokin for the 2025-26 NHL Season?
Sorokin has been the Islanders’ backbone since joining the franchise, but his recent injury history raises concerns. The pattern started in April 2022 with an upper back injury that cost him four games. Since then, he’s battled recurring core issues, with his most recent lower-body injury striking in April 2025.
Head Coach Patrick Roy insisted this latest setback differs from Sorokin’s previous problems. Critics remained skeptical. Many wondered if the star goalie would be physically prepared for the upcoming campaign.
However, recent footage suggests those concerns may be overblown. A tweet showed Sorokin already grinding through intense training sessions. “Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders) and Daniil Tarasov (Florida Panthers) are preparing for the new NHL season,” the post reads.
Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders) and Daniil Tarasov (Florida Panthers) are preparing for the new NHL season 🥅 pic.twitter.com/Cy1yb6hM7I
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) August 10, 2025
The video reveals Sorokin in full gear, tracking shots with his trademark intensity. His lateral movement looks sharp as he slides left to make a save and quickly transitions right to handle high- and medium-impact shots from rapid-fire sequences.
What stands out is his net-front positioning work. With the Islanders’ defense struggling recently, Sorokin will need every bit of his athleticism to compensate for gaps in coverage. Meanwhile, Tarasov also appears focused on refining his skills for the new season.
What Does This Training Mean for the Islanders’ Championship Hopes?
The contrast between these two goalies’ situations is striking. While Sorokin’s Islanders finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division, Tarasov’s Florida Panthers captured back-to-back Stanley Cups. Plus, Tarasov benefits from veteran mentor Sergei Bobrovsky’s presence in the Panthers’ system.
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For Sorokin, this represents his first fully healthy offseason in two years. The 2022-23 campaign ended with injury concerns, while last season required surgery and extensive rehabilitation. This time around, he’s training without restrictions and already building toward peak form.
The timing couldn’t be better for the Islanders. With Sorokin healthy and motivated, they might finally have the goaltending stability needed to return to their winning ways. His preparation suggests he’s ready to carry the franchise back to playoff contention in 2025-26.
