While the New York Rangers and New York Islanders may be divisional rivals, there remains a bond shared between the teams. Two Russian goalies who have played against each other in the NHL and in the KHL. Despite their history, they remain great friends, and Sorokin paid a great compliment to Shesterkin in a recent statement.
While Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin's history is deep and rich, full of competition, there remains a high amount of respect for each other. Sorokin, in a recent interview, would compliment his fellow compatriot on his gameplay with a comment.
Sorokin was asked in a recent interview back home who was the better goaltender, he had a simple, one-word answer.
«Shesterkin.»
«Shesterkin.»
Sorokin's humility is something to admire, as he keeps the game of hockey a respectable endeavour with this compliment.
History shows, Sorokin may not be wrong. During the 2021-22 NHL season, Shesterkin would win the Vezina Trophy and would lead the Rangers to the ECF twice in '22 and '24.
This season, he'll arrive on NHL ice, the highest-paid goalie in the league with an AAV of $11.5 million. While counterpart Sorokin has been working towards this kind of accolade, but would fall short.
Sorokin was an NHL Second-Team All-Star in 2022-23, when he was a Vezina finalist, and teamed with fellow Russian Semyon Varlamov to get the Islanders to Game 7 of the East Final in 2021.
«I can't betray Varlamov. Varlamov,» he finally answered.
But when asked to compare Varlamov to Shesterkin, he replied, «I can do it here. Shesterkin,»
The final question was whether he or his buddy is the better goalie, and he replied «Shesterkin.
But when asked to compare Varlamov to Shesterkin, he replied, «I can do it here. Shesterkin,»
The final question was whether he or his buddy is the better goalie, and he replied «Shesterkin.
It's obvious who is the be-all end-all in the Metropolitan Division, as it's neither Ilya Sorokin nor Freddie Anderson.
It's Igor Shesterkin.
Despite a down year, he managed to drag himself and the Rangers across the finish line with a 2.86 GAA and a.905 save percentage.
With a record of 27-29-5, it may have been a one-off, but he still finished 2024-25 above .900.
While his career playoff record is something to behold:
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Shesterkin is 23-20 with a 2.41 GAA and .928 save percentage. Sorokin is 6-6 with a 2.83 GAA and a .921 save percentage. Neither has had a postseason shutout.
The only major difference between the two is a Vezina Trophy (Shesterkin) and a goalie goal (Sorokin).
For now, both are on the hunt for the Stanley Cup, and they both continue to chirp each other in good spirits and friendship, as the competition remains fresh between the two Russian goalies.
