Serious Flaw Undermines Columnist’s Sorokin Trade Proposal to Oilers

A recent trade proposal suggesting that the Edmonton Oilers acquire goaltender Ilya Sorokin from the New York Islanders has been met with scrutiny due to a significant oversight. The proposal, which appeared on Heavy.com, suggested the Oilers send Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and Adam Henrique to the Islanders in exchange for Sorokin.

The article presented the trade as mutually beneficial, arguing that the Oilers would gain an elite goalie while the Islanders would acquire essential pieces for their long-term strategy. The author acknowledged Sorokin's no-movement clause as a potential hurdle but downplayed its significance, assuming Sorokin would be open to joining a Stanley Cup contender.

However, the primary flaw lies in the contract status of the Oilers players involved. All three – Skinner, Kulak, and Henrique – are pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) at the end of the current season. This means they could simply walk away from the Islanders at the end of the season, leaving New York with nothing to show for trading their star goaltender.

While the Oilers would undoubtedly benefit from acquiring a Vezina-finalist caliber goalie like Sorokin to solidify their net, the proposal's short-sightedness makes it highly improbable from the Islanders' perspective. Why would the Islanders trade a goalie locked into a long-term contract with a no-movement clause and an $8.25 million cap hit through 2032, for three players who could leave in a few months?

This isn't the first time the idea of the Oilers pursuing Sorokin has surfaced. Senior columnist Mark Spector suggested the Oilers should trade Stuart Skinner for Sorokin. Spector emphasized that Sorokin's consistent performance for several years makes him a significant upgrade. However, even if the Oilers offered a substantial package including Skinner, a first-round pick, and a top prospect, it might not be enough to entice the Islanders to part with their franchise netminder.

Sorokin's agent, Dan Milstein, addressed the rumors, stating that Sorokin has a full no-trade clause and has never been part of any trade discussions. Sorokin himself acknowledged the rumors but was surprised by how seriously people took them.

The Oilers' need for goaltending improvements has been a recurring theme. Concerns persist about the consistency and ability of their current tandem, Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, to perform in high-stakes playoff scenarios. However, the Oilers are also operating with limited salary cap space, which further complicates their ability to make significant roster changes.

Ultimately, while the hypothetical acquisition of Sorokin might excite Oilers fans, the practicality of the proposed trade is questionable. The Islanders are unlikely to trade their star goalie for potentially short-term assets, especially when Sorokin is considered the backbone of their team.