Islanders' depth tested behind Sorokin as backup plan takes center stage

The Islanders' upcoming season hinges on goaltending depth as much as on Ilya Sorokin's star power. Sorokin, 30, is widely regarded as one of the league's top netminders and a franchise cornerstone. But even as he has shown the ability to steal games and carry a heavy workload, he cannot be counted on for a full 82-game schedule. The team faces a practical question this offseason: who backs him up enough to keep him fresh without sacrificing performance.

Sorokin has typically logged around 60 starts in a season when healthy, a workload he has shouldered with minimal emergency help from within the organization. The notes imply that in many nights, someone else will be in the crease for warmups, with the plan depending on the year and the opponent. The identity of that backup could determine not just a few wins and losses, but the team's ability to stay competitive as the schedule tightens.

The conversations around the backup role have centered on David Rittich, a veteran option whose presence could allow Sorokin to take breathers during the long winter without compromising the Islanders' goaltending quality. The notes suggest that Rittich's experience and readiness could be the differentiator for the Islanders in a campaign that could hinge on keeping Sorokin healthy for the postseason push.

The broader context includes the realities of a modern NHL goaltending tandem. Teams often lean on a capable backup to handle 15-25 starts, enabling the starter to remain fresh for the grind of back-to-back games and the late-season stretch. For the Islanders, that means assessing the depth chart, evaluating the combined track records, and building a contingency plan that can adapt to injuries or fatigue.

While Sorokin's ceiling remains one of the highest in the league, the organization must acknowledge that even the best players need help over a grueling schedule. The discussion about the backup's importance underscores a broader strategic shift: if the team can stabilize the crease behind Sorokin, they may convert elite goaltending into more consistent results, improving both regular-season momentum and potential playoff chances.

As training camps open and preseason games approach, all eyes will be on the goaltending depth chart and the coaching staff's decisions on workload management. The Islanders have a proven, high-end talent in Sorokin, but the path to sustained success will likely depend on who lines up behind him when the games matter most.