Edmonton Oilers eye Ilya Sorokin as potential goaltending upgrade

The Edmonton Oilers have built a championship-caliber roster around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but a familiar weakness continues to haunt their Stanley Cup aspirations. Between the pipes, inconsistency has plagued the team for years, and as the 2025-26 season progresses, questions about their goaltending depth are resurfacing. Stuart Skinner’s unpredictable performances and Calvin Pickard’s struggles have sparked discussions about potential upgrades, with one name rising above the rest as an ambitious target: New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin.

While acquiring Sorokin remains a long-shot proposition, the mere mention of his name in Edmonton circles reflects the organization’s desire to address their most glaring vulnerability. The Russian goaltender represents the type of elite, proven starter that could transform the Oilers from perennial contenders into legitimate favorites. But is such a blockbuster deal remotely feasible, or are fans setting themselves up for disappointment by dreaming too big?

Why the Edmonton Oilers Ilya Sorokin trade target makes sense on paper

The case for pursuing Sorokin is compelling from a pure hockey standpoint. The 30-year-old netminder has established himself as one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders, boasting a career .915 save percentage that ranks 23rd all-time in league history. His consistency and ability to steal games have made him a Vezina Trophy finalist and a cornerstone for the Islanders since his NHL debut.

According to Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin, Sorokin sits atop the “pipe dream” tier of potential Oilers targets, and for good reason. “If the Oilers could snap a finger and install a shiny new starting goaltender, paying whatever acquisition cost was necessary, this is their guy,” Larkin wrote. The reporter emphasized that Sorokin remains in his prime by goaltending standards and possesses the elite-level talent Edmonton desperately needs between the pipes.

For a team that has witnessed Skinner oscillate between brilliance and mediocrity throughout his 229-game career, Sorokin would provide the stability and high-end performance the Oilers have lacked since their Cup run in 2006. His .915 career save percentage dwarfs Skinner’s .906 mark, and his proven track record in high-pressure situations addresses Edmonton’s most pressing concern.

The timing could theoretically work in the Oilers’ favor. The Islanders won the 2025 Draft Lottery and selected Matthew Schaefer first overall, signaling a potential shift toward rebuilding. New York also showed willingness to move core pieces by trading defenseman Noah Dobson for future assets last summer. If GM Mathieu Darche decides to accelerate the rebuild, Sorokin could fetch a massive return that aligns with the franchise’s new timeline.

The insurmountable obstacles facing any Edmonton Oilers Ilya Sorokin trade target pursuit

Despite the hockey logic supporting a Sorokin acquisition, the practical barriers to such a deal are substantial. The financial implications alone present a nearly impossible puzzle for Oilers GM Stan Bowman to solve. Sorokin carries an $8.25 million cap hit through the 2031-32 season, a commitment that extends well into his mid-30s.

Edmonton’s salary cap situation is already precarious. The team has dedicated massive resources to McDavid, Draisaitl, and supporting cast members like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard. Adding Sorokin’s substantial contract would require significant salary cap gymnastics, likely necessitating the departure of multiple roster players beyond just Skinner or Pickard.

The acquisition cost in terms of assets would be astronomical. The Islanders would demand a package built around high-end prospects, multiple first-round picks, and potentially a roster player capable of contributing immediately. Edmonton has already traded away considerable draft capital in recent years to build their current core, leaving their prospect pool and draft pick inventory relatively depleted.

Geography and personal preference also factor into the equation. Sorokin holds a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over any potential trade. Would he waive that protection to relocate from the New York metropolitan area to Western Canada? Players with such contractual leverage rarely accept trades unless they specifically desire a change of scenery or believe the destination offers a superior chance at winning.

The Islanders’ perspective further complicates matters. While they’re rebuilding, Sorokin’s contract extends through their expected competitive window. By the time Schaefer and other young prospects mature in three to four years, Sorokin will be in his mid-30s but potentially still capable of elite play. Trading him now would create a massive void that could extend their rebuild by forcing them to address goaltending separately.

Alternative Edmonton Oilers Ilya Sorokin trade target options that offer more realistic paths

Given the slim odds of landing Sorokin, the Oilers must consider more attainable goaltending upgrades. Recent reports have connected Edmonton to several netminders who could provide meaningful improvements without requiring the same level of sacrifice as a Sorokin pursuit.

The team has already explored other options, with Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins emerging as a particularly intriguing candidate. The 31-year-old Latvian carries a $5.4 million cap hit that expires after the 2026-27 season, making him far more manageable financially. Merzlikins has posted a .927 save percentage through his first three appearances this season, demonstrating that his talent and swagger remain intact when he’s locked in.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres represents another buy-low option with significant upside. The 26-year-old showed promise during the 2023-24 campaign before regressing last season. Signed through 2028-29 at $4.75 million annually, Luukkonen has spent his entire career with the struggling Sabres. A change of scenery to a championship contender could unlock his considerable potential.

Detroit Red Wings netminders Cam Talbot and John Gibson offer intriguing possibilities if the Wings fall out of contention. Talbot previously thrived in Edmonton and knows the market, while Gibson reminded the hockey world last season that he still possesses top-end starter capabilities. Either could be available if Detroit needs to clear space for their elite goaltending prospects Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine.

The Oilers could also gamble on youth by targeting someone like Arturs Silovs from Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old impressed during the 2024 playoffs against Edmonton while with Vancouver, showing poise and athleticism despite limited NHL experience. His acquisition cost would be modest, and the Oilers’ competitive environment could accelerate his development.

What would need to happen for the Edmonton Oilers Ilya Sorokin trade target dream to become reality

For this scenario to materialize, several specific circumstances would need to align perfectly. First, the Islanders would need to commit fully to their rebuild rather than attempting a half-measure approach. If New York continues to hover around mediocrity while Schaefer develops in junior hockey, Darche might recognize that Sorokin’s trade value will never be higher than it is now.

Second, Sorokin would need to embrace the idea of playing in Edmonton. The Oilers’ championship window with McDavid and Draisaitl provides a compelling pitch—Sorokin has never hoisted the Stanley Cup, and joining one of the league’s most talented offensive teams could represent his best opportunity. The lifestyle change would be significant, but elite athletes often prioritize winning above all else when their competitive primes are winding down.

Third, the Oilers would need to assemble a trade package that satisfies New York’s rebuild objectives without completely gutting their own roster and prospect system. This might include Samuel Savoie, one of Edmonton’s top forward prospects, along with multiple first-round picks and potentially a middle-six forward like Vasily Podkolzin or Derek Ryan to provide the Islanders with roster flexibility. Skinner or Pickard would obviously head to New York as part of the return, giving the Islanders an NHL-capable backup while they search for their next long-term starter.

The Oilers would also need creative cap management solutions. They might explore three-team scenarios where another franchise absorbs a portion of Sorokin’s contract in exchange for assets. Alternatively, Edmonton could include a player like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in discussions, though moving a beloved veteran with a modified no-trade clause would create additional complications.

The broader implications for Edmonton’s championship window

Beyond the Sorokin speculation, the Oilers face a fundamental truth: their goaltending must improve for them to capture the Stanley Cup. McDavid’s recent contract extension through 2027-28 provides organizational certainty, but it also underscores the urgency of the situation. The franchise has three guaranteed seasons to surround their generational talent with championship-level support before uncertainty returns.

Skinner’s inconsistency epitomizes the problem. The Hockey Writers noted that through his first five games this season, Skinner posted one shutout and a .909 save percentage overall, but he also recorded sub-.900 performances in three of those contests. This Jekyll-and-Hyde existence simply doesn’t provide the foundation for sustained playoff success, regardless of how talented the skaters are in front of him.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final appearance proved that the Oilers can overcome average goaltending with elite offense and timely defensive play, but asking them to replicate that feat year after year creates unnecessary obstacles. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, Vegas’s Adin Hill, and Colorado’s Darcy Kuemper all elevated their games during their respective championship runs, providing the consistent excellence that allowed their teammates to focus on outscoring opponents rather than constantly covering for defensive lapses.

Edmonton’s window remains open, but it won’t stay that way indefinitely. Draisaitl and McDavid will remain elite for several more years, but secondary pieces age, injuries accumulate, and salary cap constraints force difficult decisions. The time to address goaltending is now, whether through a blockbuster pursuit of someone like Sorokin or a more measured upgrade via trade or internal development.

The Edmonton Oilers Ilya Sorokin trade target narrative will likely remain just that—a narrative rather than reality. The logistical, financial, and practical obstacles make consummating such a deal extraordinarily difficult. However, the very existence of this discussion highlights Edmonton’s desperation to solve their goaltending puzzle and maximize their remaining opportunities with McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes. Whether through Sorokin or a more attainable alternative, the Oilers must address this weakness before their championship window closes. The margin for error in today’s NHL is razor-thin, and goaltending often represents the difference between hoisting the Stanley Cup and suffering heartbreaking playoff exits. For Edmonton, the time for complacency has passed—bold action is required to transform their elite roster into genuine champions.