Islanders & Tsyplakov Working To Extend Contract In Midst Of The Rookie’s Solid Initial NHL Season

Tsyplakov, 26, signed a one-year deal back in May.

New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov is in need of a new contract come season's end after he signed a one-year deal worth $950,000 back in May. 

He is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights, which means that he cannot test free agency. 

Per HockeyNewsHub on Tuesday, the Islanders were working on extending Tsyplakov. 

I reached out to HockeyNewsHub, who shared that Tsyplakov's Russian agent, Alexander Chernykh, did an on-air interview with Sport-Express Alexei Shevchenko, where he brought up Tsyplakov. 

I watched the interview, and here is the translation from Russian to English: 

"The Islanders are ready to extend the contract," Chernykh said. "They've talked to us already."

Mikhail Zislis, one of the hosts, asked, "For $750,000?" which is the NHL's league minimum. 

"No, not a rookie contract," Chernykh said.

Zislis then asks," A million?" to which Chernykh replies, "Three times more figures there, we’re talking about."

You can watch the interview with Tsyplakov chat beginning at 40:03 mark:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6LJFqDXpOw[/embed]

Through his first 51 NHL games, the 26-year-old forward has seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points. While the point total may not jump off the screen, Tsyplakov's ability to use his hockey IQ and physical build has made him adjust to the NHL game relatively easily.

With Tsyplakov being 26, it makes sense for the Islanders to go the bridge-deal route rather than a long-term extension.

Per the interview, it sounds like Tsyplakov's agent figures the annual number for Tsyplakov's next deal to be around $3 million. 

Hockey News contacted Tsyplakov's North American agent, Ryan Barnes of Quartexx, but have not yet received a response. 

Tsyplakov signed with the Islanders on a one-year this past offseason after seven seasons with Spartak in the KHL. The 26-year-old has seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 51 games this season. He has RFA eligibility following the 2024-25 season. 

Prior to the 4 Nations Faceoff break, Tsyplakov was playing his best hockey of the year after a three-game suspension. He averaged an assist per game over the final six games before the break, including a pair of helpers against the Minnesota Wild in their last game. 

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