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 proposed a trade to solve this problem by acquiring Ilya Sorokin from the New York Islanders.
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 add their ace in net, while the Islanders add a few essential pieces they can build around long-term.
This proposal sees the Oilers acquiring Sorokin, 30, a starting netminder. The 6-foot-3, 189 lb goaltender was drafted 78th overall by the Islanders in 2014. Last year, he recorded 30 wins, a 2.71 goals against average (GAA), a .907 save percentage (SV%), and four shutouts. So far this season, he has a 0-3-0 record to go along with a 4.18 GAA and an .854 SV%.
The main piece the Islanders would bring back would be Skinner. The Oilers drafted the 6-foot-4, 215 lb goalie 78th overall in 2017. Last year, he recorded 26 wins, a 2.81 GAA, a .896 SV%, and four shutouts. This season, he has one win, a 1.44 GAA, a .942 GAA, and one shutout in two games.
Kulak was initially drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2012. The 6-foot-2, 192 lb left-handed defender had a career year last season. In 2024-25, he recorded 25 points in 82 games while averaging 20:32 per game.
Adam Henrique was initially drafted 82nd overall in 2008 by the New Jersey Devils. The 6-foot, 195 lb forward recorded 27 points while averaging 14:39 in ice time in 81 games.
New York Islanders Fans Are Turning on Ilya Sorokin
After three regular season games, there are some Islanders fans and hockey pundits who are all for getting rid of the Vezina-finalist goaltender.
The Isles Nation X account posted a few of their thoughts on Sorokin on October 13.
“We are 2 games into the season, but I am fully aboard the trade Sorokin wagon,” they wrote before their last game. “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 his blunt opinion on where Sorokin is at right now.
“Sorokin is broken. He’s just not a good NHL goalie at this point,” they wrote during the Islanders game on October 13.
Sorokin Could Be the Oilers’ Missing Piece of the Stanley Cup Puzzle
GettyCan the Oilers add a goalie to help them win a Stanley Cup?
The trickiest thing about any potential Sorokin deal is his existing no-movement clause. This clause specifies that he cannot be waived, sent to the minors, or traded without the player’s approval. Many pundits reason that Sorokin would not waive to facilitate a trade away from the Islanders.
The Oilers have made back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final. A goaltender like Sorokin might look at the Oilers’ goaltending situation and see a golden opportunity to backstop his way to a championship.
Sorokin only has 14 NHL playoff games under his belt, but he’s posted some good numbers. He has six wins, a 2.83 GAA, and a .921 SV%. Conversely, Skinner has played 50 games, recording 26 wins, a 2.88 GAA, a .893 SV%, and four shutouts.
Curiously, both goaltenders have similar GAA but very different SV%.
Either way, Skinner is going to have to play out of his mind for the Oilers to win a Stanley Cup. Or, they could leverage his early bounce-back season to cash in on a goaltender whose perceived value is at its lowest.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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