"Ilya Sorokin was sensational this season, leading all NHL goalies with 7 shutouts, but faced a heavy workload that contributed to the team's decline."
"After a hot start, veteran backup David Rittich struggled, forcing Ilya Sorokin to appear in 14 consecutive games over the final month of the season."
"The Islanders were 11 games over league .500 entering the Olympic break, but a combination of factors led to their failure to make the playoffs."
"Patrick Roy's management of Ilya Sorokin, particularly after the Olympic break, was a critical factor in the team's inability to maintain their early-season success."
The New York Islanders entered the 2025-26 season with uncertainty under rookie general manager Mathieu Darche. Key roster changes included trading Noah Dobson and drafting Matthew Schaefer first overall. The team started strong, being 11 games over .500 before the Olympic break. However, goaltender Ilya Sorokin's heavy workload and the struggles of backup David Rittich led to a decline in performance. Ultimately, the team's failure to secure a playoff spot resulted in the firing of coach Patrick Roy.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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