Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin have been compared with one another during their entire pro careers dating back to when each played in the KHL. Shesterkin came over to North America during 2019 while it took Sorokin an extra year to finish out with CSKA Moscow.
Both have met and exceeded their already high expectations as prospects; Shesterkin along with Sorokin already have solidified themselves as elite goaltenders in the NHL but there is a constant debate surrounding the two on whose the best.
Which Empire State goalie will finish higher? 🗽
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 13, 2026
Find out Sunday at 7p ET on NHL Network. #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/p5LJAzsIXo
Igor & Ilya's Careers so Far...
Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkin has played 325 games during his first seven seasons in the NHL, during this span Igor is third among all goaltenders in his total goals saved above expected (GSAx) while facing the seventh most expected goals against (xGA). Additionally, Shesterkin has the best save percentage (SV%) among all goalies who've played at least 100 games since the start of the 2019-20 season.
Everyone knows Igor has made the Rangers look better than they truly are, including a historic 2021-22 season where he won the Vezina trophy and placed third in the Hart race. Where Shesterkin is at his best however is during the postseason; ranking first in total playoff GSAx, Shesterkin has arguably carried the Blueshirts into two eastern conference finals appearance.
Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin is very close to Shesterkin in many statistically categories, while playing in 17 less games, including barely being above Igor in GSAx where he is second to only Connor Hellebuyck for the league's best and being sixth best in SV%.
Ilya has only been into the playoffs twice during his first six seasons despite his strong play throughout his career so far. During his three seasons of playoff experience, Sorokin has a .921 SV% but a measly 3 GSAx during his first 14 playoff games, which includes a disastrous game 3 vs Carolina in 2024. Sorokin has been solid during his short playoff career, but nowhere near Igor's postseason dominance.
The Past Three Seasons
Based off of each individual's' GSAx since 2023, Sorokin barely edges out Shesterkin. Sorokin (3rd) has saved 81.98 GSAx while Shesterkin (4th) has stopped 81.49 GSAx, a miniscule 0.49 difference. When looking at their respective high danger save percentage (HDSV%), Sorokin has the lead over Igor; Ilya (2nd) has a .847 HDSV% compared to Shesterkin's (t-15th) .820 HDSV%.
Sorokin has done a better job in saving the plentiful of high danger chances the Islanders have given up, but on the flip side he does give up more goals from mid-range. Based off of NHL Edge's goaltending statistics, Shesterkin had a .906 mid-range SV% during 2025-26 and a .914 mid-range SV% during 2023-24, he was not ranked in the top-10 amid the 2024-25 season. Sorokin's mid-range SV% also was not in the top-10 during any of the past three seasons.
Who's Better?
Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin are so close to one another during regular season play where truthfully you can take one or the other and will see similar results. Regardless, Islander fans will always say Sorokin is better while Ranger fans will say Shesterkin is better.
However, the consensus around NHL fans alike is that Shesterkin is currently better and arguably the flat out best goalie in the NHL. Igor's dominance during the playoffs alongside his consistent top five regular season play has earned him the wealthiest contract among a goalie in NHL history and the respect among everyone even if the Rangers stink.
Will the NHL Network agree? We shall see when they release their top ten goaltenders very soon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google