. And all of those deals have cap hits that start with a 6, not an 8. Sorokin is better than all of those guys, obviously, but it’s a reminder that goalies are unpredictable, and this year’s fair-value contract can be next year’s albatross.Vasilevskiy feels like the best comparable of the group we’ve mentioned so far, although it’s worth remembering he had just won the Vezina when he signed. In case you’re wondering, Shesterkin isn’t due for an extension until next year.
Can he do it? Yes, pretty clearly, at least based on what we’ve seen so far. This contract is a gamble for the Islanders because it’s max length for a goalie, but you can absolutely see why they were willing to take it. The odds are it ends up being well worth it, and there’s a solid chance Sorokin wins a Vezina or two over the next few years while goalie pay shoots up around the league.