who is more than likely not coming over from Russia ever. If he would at all, it would be in two years as a 25 year old. In that time, he could suffer multiple injuries, he could magically regress, he could magically still be the best player.
Lou's pitch to Tavares can't be "hey, for the most important position, we're going to rely on a career backup for the next two years while we hope Sorokin comes over from Russia in two years" --- Islanders will not win a cup with any goaltender available on the market today.
Had a great 2016/2017 season
Had an average at best 2017/2018 season.
He did this in the SHL, which is at best the 3rd most competitive League (behind NHL/KHL)
Kid is not the solution, he is your backup or AHL goaltender.
You actually have less of an idea as to what you're talking about than some other people; not necessarily about the Islanders, but clearly about the NHL in general if you think that those two goaltenders are the clear solution to the Islanders goaltending problems.
Then we get to be reminded of the fact that your defensive group is abysmal other than Leddy and Pulock. You do have Aho and Toews who have some great potential, but again, they won't be ready to be top 4 guys in the NHL for a few years. Your picks this year (likely defensemen) won't be ready for 2-3 years either.
The truth is, if Tavares is resigning, it's because Lou is going to make trades to make the team better. You don't need a top 6C (Tavares/Barzal) and your options of upgrading offensively are limited (Because of Ladd/Clutterbucks contracts) without giving up the space and ability to upgrade behind the blue line.
Islanders need to move their picks for immediate defensive help. No team is moving a starting goaltender, so they need to take a chance on Grubauer (a la Talbot) by moving a 2nd, and they need to move Ladd and Clutterbucks contracts to free up cap space.
Ho-Sang/Eberle/Bellows/Lee/Bailey/Beauvillier should be the islanders top 9 wingers.
Who you want to trade for is your decision and opinion, but there's no question trades NEED to happen.