Islanders Fire Goaltending Coach: Boost for Sorokin?

Unexpected Changes in the Islanders’ Coaching Staff

The New York Islanders have made a surprising decision by firing their goaltending coach, Piero Greco, just six games into the season. The news comes after a streak of three consecutive wins for the team. The general manager, Mathieu Darche, was the one who announced the abrupt decision on Wednesday. In his place, Sergei Naumovs will be promoted from Bridgeport, of the American Hockey League. Naumovs, of Latvian nationality, has been in Bridgeport since May 2024. He has an extensive background training the Islanders’ star goalie, Ilya Sorokin, from their time together at CSKA Moscow of the KHL between 2018 and 2020. Sorokin currently has a goals-against average of 3.90, the second-worst in the NHL, and a save percentage of .873, the fourth-worst among goalies who have played at least four games.

“Piero has done a great job for the organization over the last seven years. We just felt this was the right time to reset with our goaltenders,” Darche stated.

Mathieu Darche, General Manager of the Islanders

Darche stated that he did not consult Sorokin, who is in the second year of a 66-million-dollar contract that extends until 2032.

“It’s my decision, not the player’s. I know he’s been successful with Sergei, and that’s why we made this decision. It’s 100% my decision, and the goalie had nothing to do with it,” added Darche.

Mathieu Darche, General Manager of the Islanders

In other news related to the Islanders, injured forward Pierre Engvall underwent ankle surgery and is expected to miss the entire season, approximately five to six months, according to Darche. On the other hand, goaltender Semyon Varlamov continues to progress in his recovery from knee surgery. Due to injuries to other players and the limitation of space on the salary cap, the Islanders placed forward Marc Gatcomb on waivers. The 26-year-old player has only participated in one game this season.