Ilya Sorokin absent from veterans skate in Islanders mystery

Ilya Sorokin did not participate in an informal veterans’ skate following Islanders rookie camp Thursday.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated last week on his “32 Thoughts” podcast that Sorokin was “battling something,” though it was not clear what.

Sorokin was at Matt Martin’s charity poker tournament earlier this week and took photos with fans in which he did not appear to be wearing any kind of cast or boot.

The Islanders also clarified that his absence Thursday had nothing to do with an off-ice issue, as some had speculated.

Whether Sorokin is physically healthy or will be on the ice at the start of training camp, however, remains unclear for the time being.

In the weeks leading up to training camp, it’s normal for teams to conduct informal practices, often called captain’s skates, without coaches present.