Ben Shelley: Sorokin signing with Islanders means Greiss is unlikely to return

Greiss has been a class act both on and off the ice. In a world that lacks good people, he is good people. For that I am sorry to see him go.
The Islanders should hang tight. See how there fall training camp goes and make a decision then. I am sure there will be goalie or two available for number 3 net minder.

Greiss has been a class act both on and off the ice. In a world that lacks good people, he is good people. For that I am sorry to see him go.
The Islanders should hang tight. See how there fall training camp goes and make a decision then. I am sure there will be goalie or two available for number 3 net minder.
- Nfdbulldawg

That's not the way it works. Unless he comes back on a PTO they need him off the books for next season. He's been a great Islander but it's time for him to go.

I thought they may have to let Griess go, even without Sorokin, and give Jared Coreau and Christopher Gibson a shot as backups. Var can certainly play more than 45 games.

But I don't see Sorokin failing to be on the opening day roster. Islanders should go with what they have.

That's not the way it works. Unless he comes back on a PTO they need him off the books for next season. He's been a great Islander but it's time for him to go.
- Tedge77

You misinterpreted what I was saying. Yes the Islanders need him (Greiss) off the books. When I said they need to hang tight, I was referring to not adding another goalie until the start of the 2020-2021 season. If Varly gets hurt they are thin with veteran goalies. That's what I meant by hanging tight.

If the AHL season does start on time, a couple months ahead of the NHL season’s start, the Islanders would have an easy scenario where Sorokin can play with Bridgeport for a while before joining the Islanders. It’s also been reported that Sorokin is open to starting the year in the AHL.

In this scenario Sorokin could end up playing in a 100 game season pretty easily. And considering the way rookies, especially goalies, can have trouble adapting to the longer NHL seasons when coming from overseas, he could absolutely collapse by the end of the NHL season, unless Varlamov is driven into the ground to limit Sorokin's workload over such a long season.

In this scenario Sorokin could end up playing in a 100 game season pretty easily. And considering the way rookies, especially goalies, can have trouble adapting to the longer NHL seasons when coming from overseas, he could absolutely collapse by the end of the NHL season, unless Varlamov is driven into the ground to limit Sorokin's workload over such a long season.
- DarthProbert

As long as Sorokin is only playing 10-15 games in Bridgeport before joining the Islanders, I don't see that being much of a problem. If Varlamov is playing 50ish games and Sorokin takes on around 30 with the Isles, Sorokin is playing about the same number of games he was in the KHL. Varlamov being injured could mess things up but with him healthy, I don't see it being a problem.

In this scenario Sorokin could end up playing in a 100 game season pretty easily. And considering the way rookies, especially goalies, can have trouble adapting to the longer NHL seasons when coming from overseas, he could absolutely collapse by the end of the NHL season, unless Varlamov is driven into the ground to limit Sorokin's workload over such a long season.
- DarthProbert

If the AHL starts early and Sorokin is there, they will limit his games. You have to assume at the NHL lever its going to be a 60-22 split. Sorokin played about 55 games with playoffs last 2 years. If he starts in the A, I bet he plays 15-18 games. If he doesn't adjust well then I could see him getting more games.

As long as Sorokin is only playing 10-15 games in Bridgeport before joining the Islanders, I don't see that being much of a problem. If Varlamov is playing 50ish games and Sorokin takes on around 30 with the Isles, Sorokin is playing about the same number of games he was in the KHL. Varlamov being injured could mess things up but with him healthy, I don't see it being a problem.
- Ben.Shelley

That is why it will be important for the Islanders to have a veteran back-up waiting in the minors. I know it sounds crazy but it Varly gets hurt you are looking Sorokin and Gibson. Short time not bad, but long term too much.

That is why it will be important for the Islanders to have a veteran back-up waiting in the minors. I know it sounds crazy but it Varly gets hurt you are looking Sorokin and Gibson. Short time not bad, but long term too much.
- Nfdbulldawg

How many NHL teams actually have that?

You misinterpreted what I was saying. Yes the Islanders need him (Greiss) off the books. When I said they need to hang tight, I was referring to not adding another goalie until the start of the 2020-2021 season. If Varly gets hurt they are thin with veteran goalies. That's what I meant by hanging tight.
- Nfdbulldawg

Gotcha, I agree

How many NHL teams actually have that?
- Puckin_Island

None especially now

Most teams have a solid veteran back up.. fyi. Including the Isles right now.

with about 200 KHL games under his belt, I consider Sorokin a veteran.