New York Islanders promote Sergei Naumovs after firing goalie coach Piero Greco

Islanders Make Early Goalie Change: Greco Out, Naumovs In After 6 Games

IHM Newsroom

Author: IHM Team | Date: October 23, 2025

The New York Islanders made a rare in-season move only six games into the year. Goaltending coach Piero Greco was dismissed and Sergei Naumovs was promoted from AHL Bridgeport. Naumovs previously worked with Ilya Sorokin at CSKA Moscow from 2018 to 2020.

New York Islanders promote Sergei Naumovs after firing goalie coach Piero Greco

Context

New York has won three straight, but Sorokin’s numbers remain below his standard: 3.90 GAA and .873 SV% among goalies with at least four appearances. General manager Mathieu Darche called the switch a reset for the position and said he did not seek input from Sorokin, who is in year two of an eight-year, 66 million dollar contract that runs through 2032.

“Right timing to have a reset with our goalies. It is 100 percent my decision. The goalie had nothing to do with it.” - Mathieu Darche

Why Naumovs

  • Prior working relationship with Sorokin at CSKA Moscow.
  • Technical detail on post integrations and rebound control.
  • Cultural and communication fit that shortens the learning curve.

What changes now

  • Focus on quiet feet, early set and first-save probability.
  • Cleaner puck touches to speed exits and reduce repeat zone time.
  • Refined pre-scout habits and morning-skate workload.

Coach Mark’s Comment: “This is about getting Sorokin back to quiet feet and first save probability. Naumovs knows his rhythms and language. If the details tighten in the crease and on breakouts, the numbers will normalize quickly.”

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