In Today’s Goaltending Pay Debate, Ilya Sorokin’s Contract Isn’t Holding The Islanders Back
The Islanders’ issues run deeper than paying an elite goaltender, and with the NHL salary cap rising to $104 million, Ilya Sorokin’s contract is far from the obstacle some make it out to be.
Since goaltenders started signing massive contracts, there’s been an ongoing debate about whether paying elite money at the position actually helps teams win Stanley Cups.
There’s been a similar conversation surrounding the running back position in the NFL. Many believe that teams simply can’t allocate big-time money to that position, given how risky it is and how many capable running backs there are in the league.
You look at the remaining four teams in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it’s easy to say that teams don’t have to pay for goaltending to go on deep playoff runs.
In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes starter Frederik Andersen carries a $2.75 million cap hit, while Montreal Canadiens rookie Jakub Dobes is making $965,000.
In the West, Colorado Avalanche’s starter Scott Wedgewood carries a $1.50 million cap hit, while the Vegas Golden Knights' Carter Hart comes in at a $2 million cap hit.
But there’s no universal formula for winning a Stanley Cup. Some teams are built around elite goaltending. Others overwhelm opponents with depth, speed, and structure around their stars. What matters is understanding what kind of team you are building and acting accordingly.
Look at this list.
Of the 10 highest-paid goaltenders in the league, only two have won Stanley Cups (Sergei Bobrovsky: 2024,2025, Andrei Vasilevskiy: 2020, 2021). The other eight goalies haven’t reached the finals.
But context matters.