Amidst the whirlwind of NHL offseason speculation, Ilya Sorokin's agent, Dan Milstein, has firmly dismissed recent trade rumors surrounding the New York Islanders' star goaltender. The clarification comes after reports suggested the Islanders had considered trading Sorokin during the 2025 NHL Draft.

The rumors gained traction when pundit Frank Seravalli reported that the Islanders and Utah Mammoth discussed a potential trade involving Sorokin and the 8th overall selection in the draft. Seravalli further speculated that there had been conversations around the league regarding Sorokin's availability.

However, Milstein took to social media to set the record straight. "Ilya Sorokin has a full no-trade clause and has never been part of any trade discussions — not at any point," Milstein stated. He expressed surprise that a correction was even necessary, emphasizing the difference between reporting facts and creating unnecessary buzz.

Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News also questioned the validity of the initial report, arguing that trading Sorokin would contradict the moves made by the Islanders' new general manager, Mathieu Darche. Rosner noted that moving Sorokin would likely signal a rebuild, which doesn't align with the team's current direction. Darche himself had mentioned that he attempted to move up in the first round of the draft, but teams were unwilling to part with their picks.

Sorokin is currently in the second year of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million and possesses a full no-movement clause through 2027-28, giving him complete control over his destination. This means he cannot be traded without his explicit permission. Considering Sorokin's status as one of the league's elite netminders, any potential trade would require a significant return for the Islanders.

The Islanders recently traded defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens, which fueled speculation about a potential roster shakeup. However, with Milstein's firm denial and Sorokin's no-movement clause, it appears the goaltender will remain a key part of the Islanders' core.

The Islanders had what many considered to be one of the best drafts in the NHL in 2025, potentially signaling a move towards getting younger. However, the team still possesses a considerable amount of talent, and if Sorokin can return to his peak form, the Islanders could be a formidable force.