Islanders Ilya Sorokin, agree to eight-year contract extension - ESPN

The New York Islanders had one of the biggest signings on July 1 — and he wasn't even a free agent.

Franchise goalie Ilya Sorokin has agreed to a new eight-year contract extension that starts in the 2024-25 season. It carries an average annual value of $8.25 million against the salary cap. Sorokin is entering the last year of his contract with a $4 million AAV. His new deal carries full no-movement clause for the first four seasons before becoming a modified no-trade clause.

Sorokin, 27, has established himself as one of the NHL's elite goaltenders during his three-year NHL career. He was second for the Vezina Trophy, given to the NHL's top netminder, last season with a 31-22-7 record and a .924 save percentage with a 2.34 goals-against average and a league-high six shutouts.

«You don't want a player of his stature going into the last year of his contract. I think that creates a lot of pressure on the player. There are a lot of intangible things, from a mental aspect, that this takes away,» said Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello.

The Islanders also signed a trio of unrestricted free agents on Saturday, the first day of the NHL's free-agent frenzy. Sorokin's backup, Semyon Varlamov, signed a four-year extension with a $2.75 million AAV. Varlamov, 35, had a .913 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average last season. He's served as a mentor to Sorokin since the Russian phenom entered the league.

«There's a tremendous communication, love and respect for each other. Varly has been a tremendous mentor for Ilya and Ilya has been a tremendous teammate for Varly,» said Lamoriello.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield has signed a seven-year contract extension. Known primarily for his defensive play, the