The Islanders' newcomer is getting in extra work with the prospects as he gears up for an NHL job after signing as a free agent this summer.
The Islanders' newcomer is getting in extra work with the prospects as he gears up for an NHL job after signing as a free agent this summer.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- This summer, the New York Islanders signed Russian forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year entry-level deal worth $950,000.
The 25-year-old had a breakout year in the KHL, scoring 31 goals with 16 assists in 65 games for Spartak, leading to a flurry of NHL teams lining up to sign him.
He chose Long Island.
A few days after the newcomer attended Matt Martin's Poker Night, he was on the ice with the Islanders prospects on Thursday morning for the start of rookie camp.
He hit the ice in a No. 7 jersey, last worn full-time by Jordan Eberle (2017-2021) and worn by Grant Hutton and Dennis Cholowski over the last few years.
"I wanted nine," Tsyplakov shared with me at Poker Night, as that's the number he wore in the KHL.
But, he is well aware and perfectly okay, knowing that No. 9 is retired for the late Clark Gillies.
So, No. 7 it is.