The goalie position is the most scrutinized for the Islanders, as it is for almost all NHL teams.
It’s why fan-favorite Robin Lehner signing a one-year, $5-million contract with the Blackhawks was such a seismic shock to the team’s partisans. And why bringing in Semyon Varlamov on a four-year, $20-million deal to be Thomas Greiss’ partner as Lehner’s replacement was dissected so thoroughly.
It’s why anticipation that Ilya Sorokin – called by Varlamov the best goalie in the KHL – finally will join the Islanders’ organization after one more season in Russia runs high.