The New York Islanders are implementing a strategy to manage goaltender Ilya Sorokin's workload early in the season, aiming to prevent the overuse that has strained the team in past years. Coach Pete DeBoer emphasized the importance of establishing a rotation that allows backup goaltender Semyon Varlamov to play at least 30 games.
"If we end up in that spot again, I have to make sure I set the table now that he’s capable of doing that without being worn out," DeBoer stated. "That’s exactly why we have to manage early in the season. You have to assume we’re gonna be in a battle right to the wire and if we need to run him a bunch of games in a row down the stretch, he has to have enough gas in the tank to do that."
Sorokin recently recorded 37 saves in a 6-0 shutout victory against the New Jersey Devils in the home opener on October 3, 2026, after taking the morning skate off. The presence of a full-time emergency backup goaltender is expected to facilitate more opportunities for both Sorokin and Varlamov to rest.
Sorokin himself noted that his offseason focus was on his physical conditioning and recovery, acknowledging the demanding schedule. However, he clarified that his routine has not drastically changed, describing it as consistent hard work that all players undertake.
In other team news, forward Mat Barzal, who has been dealing with a left kneecap injury, is expected to resume skating either Thursday or Friday. The initial timeline for his return to the ice was adjusted, pushing it back from the original plan to have him skate shortly after the season opener. General manager Mathieu Darche indicated that Barzal is progressing well.