Serious Flaw in Columnist’s Sorokin Trade Proposal to Oilers’

A recent trade proposal from Heavy.com suggesting the Edmonton Oilers acquire Ilya Sorokin from the New York Islanders makes for flashy discussion—but it overlooks a major issue that makes the deal highly unlikely.

The article suggests that Edmonton send Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and Adam Henrique to New York in exchange for Sorokin. Caleb Kerney, who penned the post, writes: “This trade makes sense for both teams. The Oilers add their ace in net, while the Islanders add a few essential pieces they can build around long-term.” He later notes, “The trickiest thing about any potential Sorokin deal is his existing no-movement clause.”

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The reality is that’s not the trickiest part at all. While it might be factor — as would the no-move clause in Henrique’s deal — it stands to reason that Sorokin might be open to joining a Stanley Cup contender.

What’s more difficult is convincing the Islanders to move their starter for three players who can leave at the end of the season, simply by walking away.

Oilers Players in This Deal Are All Pending UFAs

On paper, it’s a blockbuster trade that, positionally, could make sense. If the Islanders are starting to worry that Sorokin has lost what made him so dominant, getting three pieces would be nice. That is, if they like Skinner and can keep everyone around.

Sure, the Oilers get a former Vezina-finalist goaltender to stabilize their crease, and he could post improved numbers in Edmonton. The Oilers might be willing to take a chance and, if Skinner struggles out of the gate, GM Stan Bowman would theoretically be partial to a trade like this. But the proposal ignores that all three Oilers involved are pending unrestricted free agents, while Sorokin is locked up long-term with a no-movement clause and an $8.25 million cap hit through 2032.

It’s one thing to move on from Sorokin, but another to do and potentially have nothing to show for it by the start of next season. That discrepancy alone makes the trade lopsided and unrealistic unless sign-and-trades or some other guarantee were part of the exchange.

From the Islanders’ perspective, giving up a franchise goalie for three short-term rentals makes no sense unless they’re entering a full rebuild — and even then, the return lacks long-term value.

It’s a fun hypothetical, but ultimately unrealistic. Edmonton may explore goaltending upgrades if their tandem falters, but a Sorokin deal isn’t one of them — at least not for the proposed return.

Why This Post on Sorokin to the Oilers?

We love to talk trades and trade proposals at NHL Trade Talk, but the idea became timely as the Oilers take on the Islanders Thursday night. David Rittich is expected to get the start for the Islanders in goal.

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