Islanders: A Future In Goal

The future of goaltending continues to look bright for the New York Islanders. The present doesn’t look too bad either. This season will be the first full one; Ilya Sorokin will have the knowledge of Islanders goaltending coach Sergei Naumov. They are a familiar pairing from their time working together in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Naumov took on the role midway through last season. Sorokin had been a frontrunner for the Vezina much of the season. It wasn’t until the last minute that his numbers began to slip and were not what many were used to seeing. It could have been a possible defensive breakdown. Not a slight at the goaltender’s abilities. Sorokin noted that he didn’t believe his likelihood to win the Vezina. Fans still held on to the small percentage. After all, the small percentage was what landed the team Matthew Schaefer. Those numbers, even as small as they may be, mean a little more to fans. But Sorokin still came away from the season leading the league in shutouts and took the top spot for the Islanders, breaking the all-time franchise record.

Semyon Varlamov will start the season as backup, per general manager Mathieu Darche. Varlamov’s return is of interest to many fans. The veteran goaltender could be returning with a monumental return after a double knee replacement. There was a glimpse of the goaltender’s game when he played in a couple of conditioning stints with Bridgeport.

With Sorokin playing the way he has been and a veteran goaltender coming back with a storyline that could garner attention from the entire league, it could mean things look bright regarding the two goaltenders.

If everything goes as planned, coming out of training camp into the start of the season, it would be a special moment when the returning goaltender takes his spot between the pipes. While some may hold their breath, others have faith he’s going to show up as many expect him to.

Beyond the goaltenders occupying the top spots, prospects and depth players are the unseen pieces that help create the future goaltending situation.

Dmitry Gamzin is a prospect that the Islanders drafted in the 4th round, 115th overall. He has been developing in the KHL with CSKA Moscow. The same team that Ilya Sorokin and Isles defenseman Alexander Romanov both played for before coming over to the NHL.

In the KHL, Gamzin’s stats are strong. Last season, he had a 1.49 GAA and a .938 SV% throughout 40 games. Just a note for future reference, Gamzin is known for flexibility and his tall frame, which helps him in net. Developing his game with those factors is a beneficial element within his own game. Fans won’t see that game up close for another few seasons. When it comes to developing goaltenders, it’s more of a long game.

Goaltenders Tristan Lennox and Henrik Tikkanen aren’t the prospect Gamzin is. Instead, they’re the vital depth pieces.

Fans are likely to see them split their time between the American Hockey League (AHL) and the ECHL. Lennox was selected in the 3rd round, 93rd overall, of the 2021 National Hockey League draft. His minutes continue to help develop the goaltender. Henrik Tikkanen was drafted in the 7th round; he was selected 214th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Tikkanen has been splitting his time between the AHL and ECHL. This season seems pretty set as far as goaltenders go, but fans enjoy seeing what the future may hold for the Islanders.