Oilers Add Vezina-Finalist With Massive New Trade Pitch
The Edmonton Oilers know what it takes to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. When it comes to playoff time, they need everyone to step up. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the most productive postseason producers of all time. Brett Kulak punches above his weight when it matters most. However, the duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard has yet to prove they have what it takes to seal the deal in back-to-back appearances.
Heavy.com recently proposed a trade to address this issue by acquiring Ilya Sorokin from the New York Islanders.
### Proposed Trade
**Oilers Acquire:**
– Ilya Sorokin ($8.25 million)
**Islanders Acquire:**
– Stuart Skinner ($2.6 million)
– Brett Kulak ($2.75 million)
– Adam Henrique ($3 million)
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Oilers would add an ace netminder, while the Islanders gain several key pieces to build around for the long term.
### Who Is Ilya Sorokin?
Ilya Sorokin, 30, is a starting goaltender standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 189 pounds. He was drafted 78th overall by the Islanders in 2014. Last season, Sorokin recorded 30 wins with a 2.71 goals against average (GAA), a .907 save percentage (SV%), and four shutouts.
So far this season, however, he has struggled with a 0-3-0 record, a 4.18 GAA, and an .854 SV%.
### Islanders’ Return: Skinner, Kulak, and Henrique
The main piece the Islanders would receive back is Stuart Skinner. The Oilers drafted the 6-foot-4, 215-pound goalie 78th overall in 2017. Last year, Skinner posted 26 wins, a 2.81 GAA, a .896 SV%, and four shutouts. This season, he has one win, a 1.44 GAA, a .942 SV%, and one shutout in two games.
Brett Kulak was initially drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2012. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound left-handed defenseman had a career year last season, recording 25 points in 82 games while averaging 20:32 of ice time per game.
Adam Henrique, drafted 82nd overall in 2008 by the New Jersey Devils, is a 6-foot, 195-pound forward. He contributed 27 points last season while averaging 14:39 of ice time in 81 games.
### New York Islanders Fans Turning on Sorokin
After just three regular-season games, some Islanders fans and hockey pundits are calling for the team to move on from their Vezina-finalist goaltender.
The Isles Nation X account expressed their frustration on October 13:
“We are 2 games into the season, but I am fully aboard the trade Sorokin wagon. There’s still a perception he’s elite when he hasn’t been much better than average for 2 seasons. One elite month of goaltending can ruin draft positioning. He’s 30. Will be mid-30s when we’re ready.”
David Tuchman, an Islanders analyst, shared a blunt opinion during the same day’s game:
“Soronkin is broken. He’s just not a good NHL goalie at this point.”
### Sorokin Could Be the Oilers’ Missing Piece
One tricky aspect of any potential Sorokin deal is his existing no-movement clause. This clause means he cannot be waived, sent to the minors, or traded without his approval. Many experts believe Sorokin would be reluctant to waive this clause to facilitate a trade away from the Islanders.
However, the Oilers’ back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final might make their goalie situation appealing to Sorokin. It could represent a golden opportunity for him to backstop his way to a championship.
Though Sorokin has only 14 NHL playoff games under his belt, he’s posted solid numbers: six wins, a 2.83 GAA, and a .921 SV%. In comparison, Skinner has played 50 playoff games, recording 26 wins, a 2.88 GAA, a .893 SV%, and four shutouts.
While both goalies have similar GAA, their save percentages differ significantly.
### What’s Next for the Oilers?
For the Oilers to win a Stanley Cup, Skinner will have to play out of his mind. Alternatively, the team could leverage his promising early-season performance to trade a goaltender whose perceived value might currently be at its lowest.
Acquiring Sorokin could well be the missing piece Edmonton needs to take that next step and finally capture the Stanley Cup.
https://heavy.com/sports/nhl/edmonton-oilers/ilya-sorokin-trade-pitch-stuart-skinner/
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