Report: Sorokin to join Islanders next season

Star KHL goalie Ilya Sorokin chose not to sign an extension with CSKA Moscow and will instead ink a deal with the New York Islanders once his contract expires on April 30, according to Sports-Express' Igor Eronko.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman confirmed Sorokin will move to the NHL next season.

Sorokin's arrival has been highly anticipated by Islanders fans since the team drafted him in the third round in 2014. The 24-year-old enjoyed a decorated career in the KHL, never posting a save percentage below .929 or a goals-against average above 1.61 in five seasons as CSKA's starter.

The 6-foot-2 netminder won a Gagarin Cup with CSKA in 2019 and was awarded playoff MVP honors, sporting a .947 save percentage and a 1.19 goals-against average in 20 postseason contests. He also took home a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Games with the Olympic Athletes from Russia, though he played only one contest during the tournament.

Sorokin is expected to share the crease with fellow Russian Semyon Varlamov, who signed a four-year, $20-million deal as a free agent last summer. Thomas Greiss, who's split time with Varlamov this campaign, is a pending unrestricted free agent.

The move brings with it the potential for an intriguing Russian goaltending rivalry in New York after Igor Shesterkin shined for the Rangers in 12 games following a midseason call-up this year.