Yeah, trading Sorokin would only make sense if the Isles were committed to some sort of 5-year plan to tear the team apart and rebuild from scratch. Goalies can play at an elite level into their mid-30s, and I got the impression from Darche's comments a while back that he was not planning on a 5-year plan.
- JohnScammo

I don't think Sorokin gets traded, or that Darche is interested in a five-year rebuild right off the bat, so I'll qualify the rest of this post with that.

But, in the land of "what ifs" and "let's talk about this until there's something else to talk about," I'd point out that Skinner's been to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, so if he was a small part of the return, it's not like they'd be throwing Joey MacDonald in net and waving the white flag on the season.

He'd be another capable player they'd have who's in the last year of a contract, which will have him playing hard for his next contract. If he and the team catch fire, great. Maybe they even re-sign him. If they fall short by the deadline, he'd be another trade chip for a team looking for a goalie with postseason experience.

100%!
Now don’t ever say never because Gretzky was traded so…..
But there is a slim chance SOrOkin will get moved.
- nyisles7

I never say "Never"...

There is a little more worry with Sorokin's size and the back surgery. Still cannot see him moved yet, but not impossible it happens.
- ses111

Sorokin is listed at 6' 4", 211 lbs., so he's not tiny. But yeah, there's always a risk of injury with these guys, especially guys with a history of back surgery.

I don't think Sorokin gets traded, or that Darche is interested in a five-year rebuild right off the bat, so I'll qualify the rest of this post with that.

But, in the land of "what ifs" and "let's talk about this until there's something else to talk about," I'd point out that Skinner's been to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, so if he was a small part of the return, it's not like they'd be throwing Joey MacDonald in net and waving the white flag on the season.

He'd be another capable player they'd have who's in the last year of a contract, which will have him playing hard for his next contract. If he and the team catch fire, great. Maybe they even re-sign him. If they fall short by the deadline, he'd be another trade chip for a team looking for a goalie with postseason experience.
- UIF

I just think that goalie is such an important position, that, if you find a real good one, you hold onto him. I'm not saying Skinner is a bad goalie, but I think Sorokin is significantly better.

Now watch, he gets traded....

Sorokin is listed at 6' 4", 211 lbs., so he's not tiny. But yeah, there's always a risk of injury with these guys, especially guys with a history of back surgery.
- JohnScammo

I thought I saw 190? The surgery is a bigger concern. Islanders can use the backup being able to play more games this year.

I thought I saw 190? The surgery is a bigger concern. Islanders can use the backup being able to play more games this year.
- ses111

https://www.nhl.com/islan...ayer/ilya-sorokin-8478009

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/player/ilya-sorokin-8478009
- JohnScammo

Thanks John! Islanders still have to be careful not to play Sorokin too many games in a row. They need a solid backup this year.

https://www.nhl.com/islanders/player/ilya-sorokin-8478009
- JohnScammo

He also has a no movement clause until the 2027/28 season so he would have to approve any trade.

https://www.sportsbusines...following-doj-indictment/

Hope the Isles don't get wrapped up in this. Oak View Group is who ownership used for UBS

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/07/10/what-next-for-tim-leiweke-following-doj-indictment/

Hope the Isles don't get wrapped up in this. Oak View Group is who ownership used for UBS
- eichiefs9

From what I understand, UBS Arena is operated by a partnership between Oak View Group and the New York Islanders. No idea how the indictment might affect the team...

Interesting that the article says that the ultimate target of the investigation may be Live Nation, and the Oak View Group indictment may just be a stepping stone to get evidence against Live Nation.

From what I understand, UBS Arena is operated by a partnership between Oak View Group and the New York Islanders. No idea how the indictment might affect the team...

Interesting that the article says that the ultimate target of the investigation may be Live Nation, and the Oak View Group indictment may just be a stepping stone to get evidence against Live Nation.
- JohnScammo

Very interesting for sure. Live Nation/Ticketmaster is such a heaping scammy pile of poop, I'd love to see them get taken down

Very interesting for sure. Live Nation/Ticketmaster is such a heaping scammy pile of poop, I'd love to see them get taken down
- eichiefs9

The amount of crooks out there is staggering.

Very interesting for sure. Live Nation/Ticketmaster is such a heaping scammy pile of poop, I'd love to see them get taken down
- eichiefs9

When you try and buy tickets and it’s double the cost of the tickets for a million bs fee’s it’s maddening. They must correct it

Very interesting for sure. Live Nation/Ticketmaster is such a heaping scammy pile of poop, I'd love to see them get taken down
- eichiefs9

It’s coming!

It's summer, so here's some not-really-noteworthy news

Here's a complete summary of Drouin's NHL Network interview:

- Drouin was drawn to the Islanders by the forward group, team makeup, and familiarity with Patrick Roy.
- He played against Roy numerous times in junoirs and has a connection already with former Avalanhce power-play coach Ray Bennett, who the Islanders brought in this summer.
- He feels reinvigorated after his time in Colorado, after some years that got away from him.
- He’s best buds with Anthony Duclair and asked former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard about their time on the island.
- He’s impressed by the mix of talent on the roster—players like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, and feels that Anders Lee is a tremendous leader.
-Off the ice, he appreciates what Long Island offers in terms of lifestyle, amenities, and team facilities.
- He values the little things and said that seeing the Islanders put the cancer ribbon on Matthew Schaefer's NHL Draft jersey was something that stood out to him in how they treat their players.

Drouin will start the season alongside Horvat, per Roy.

It's summer, so here's some not-really-noteworthy news

Here's a complete summary of Drouin's NHL Network interview:

- Drouin was drawn to the Islanders by the forward group, team makeup, and familiarity with Patrick Roy.
- He played against Roy numerous times in junoirs and has a connection already with former Avalanhce power-play coach Ray Bennett, who the Islanders brought in this summer.
- He feels reinvigorated after his time in Colorado, after some years that got away from him.
- He’s best buds with Anthony Duclair and asked former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard about their time on the island.
- He’s impressed by the mix of talent on the roster—players like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, and feels that Anders Lee is a tremendous leader.
-Off the ice, he appreciates what Long Island offers in terms of lifestyle, amenities, and team facilities.
- He values the little things and said that seeing the Islanders put the cancer ribbon on Matthew Schaefer's NHL Draft jersey was something that stood out to him in how they treat their players.

Drouin will start the season alongside Horvat, per Roy.
- eichiefs9

Hopefully that’s the start of the ball rolling regarding free agents. It only takes one guy and while Drouin is aged, he’s immediately going to help the PP.
IMHO I feel like Darche is keeping bullets in the chamber for 7/1/27 free agency

It's summer, so here's some not-really-noteworthy news

Here's a complete summary of Drouin's NHL Network interview:

- Drouin was drawn to the Islanders by the forward group, team makeup, and familiarity with Patrick Roy.
- He played against Roy numerous times in junoirs and has a connection already with former Avalanhce power-play coach Ray Bennett, who the Islanders brought in this summer.
- He feels reinvigorated after his time in Colorado, after some years that got away from him.
- He’s best buds with Anthony Duclair and asked former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard about their time on the island.
- He’s impressed by the mix of talent on the roster—players like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, and feels that Anders Lee is a tremendous leader.
-Off the ice, he appreciates what Long Island offers in terms of lifestyle, amenities, and team facilities.
- He values the little things and said that seeing the Islanders put the cancer ribbon on Matthew Schaefer's NHL Draft jersey was something that stood out to him in how they treat their players.

Drouin will start the season alongside Horvat, per Roy.
- eichiefs9

Wait he thinks the Islanders forward group are good? Talented? Fast?
He doesn’t read HB obviously!

Hopefully that’s the start of the ball rolling regarding free agents. It only takes one guy and while Drouin is aged, he’s immediately going to help the PP.
IMHO I feel like Darche is keeping bullets in the chamber for 7/1/27 free agency
- kindlyrick

On Drouin, we thought DuClair would help the PP too

I think a lot depends on the on ice performance of the team this season. If the team is competitive and moving in the right direction I’m sure Darsch will consider trades or FA to improve the team. If the team is still having defensive lapses and playing similarly to this past season Darsch may be more active at the TD.
On paper there are a few changes in the forward group. However the D is similar and the team as a whole needs to play a much better defensive structure if they want to be competitive. I think we will see that, Although the first puck hasn’t even dropped yet and the games are played on ice not paper.
I’m very excited for the upcoming season with Darsch and his new Hockey Ops team at the helm.

On Drouin, we thought DuClair would help the PP too

I think a lot depends on the on ice performance of the team this season. If the team is competitive and moving in the right direction I’m sure Darsch will consider trades or FA to improve the team. If the team is still having defensive lapses and playing similarly to this past season Darsch may be more active at the TD.
On paper there are a few changes in the forward group. However the D is similar and the team as a whole needs to play a much better defensive structure if they want to be competitive. I think we will see that, Although the first puck hasn’t even dropped yet and the games are played on ice not paper.
I’m very excited for the upcoming season with Darsch and his new Hockey Ops team at the helm.
- nyisles7

I believe Drouin helps the PP. I also believe having a real PP coach behind the bench vs Lou’s loyalty to his former Devil players improves the PP. Exciting times for sure.

I believe Drouin helps the PP. I also believe having a real PP coach behind the bench vs Lou’s loyalty to his former Devil players improves the PP. Exciting times for sure.
- kindlyrick

It certainly should help. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

It's summer, so here's some not-really-noteworthy news

Here's a complete summary of Drouin's NHL Network interview:

- Drouin was drawn to the Islanders by the forward group, team makeup, and familiarity with Patrick Roy.
- He played against Roy numerous times in junoirs and has a connection already with former Avalanhce power-play coach Ray Bennett, who the Islanders brought in this summer.
- He feels reinvigorated after his time in Colorado, after some years that got away from him.
- He’s best buds with Anthony Duclair and asked former Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Derick Brassard about their time on the island.
- He’s impressed by the mix of talent on the roster—players like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, and feels that Anders Lee is a tremendous leader.
-Off the ice, he appreciates what Long Island offers in terms of lifestyle, amenities, and team facilities.
- He values the little things and said that seeing the Islanders put the cancer ribbon on Matthew Schaefer's NHL Draft jersey was something that stood out to him in how they treat their players.

Drouin will start the season alongside Horvat, per Roy.
- eichiefs9

That's interesting

https://youtu.be/EA666EIcKnQ

Broome county dusters story. Upstate’s backyard. Cool story worth watching.

Was out all day today. These guys played the Long Island Cougars, in the North American Hockey League. Any of you guys remember that team? Great story if you’re nostalgic.

https://youtu.be/EA666EIcKnQ

Broome county dusters story. Upstate’s backyard. Cool story worth watching.

Was out all day today. These guys played the Long Island Cougars, in the North American Hockey League. Any of you guys remember that team? Great story if you’re nostalgic.
- streaks

Great story Streaks! Watched the Ducks at Long Island Arena and then the Cougars.
Thanks for sharing.

Great story Streaks! Watched the Ducks at Long Island Arena and then the Cougars.
Thanks for sharing.
- nyisles7

You’re welcome. I live in the Adirondack foothills, a skier too, and love the stories and history of the closed resorts. Similar to this story. The lost and forgotten. I thought it was well done.

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#Isles News: The New York Islanders have signed forward Victor Eklund to a three-year, entry-level contract.