The New York Islanders announced on Thursday afternoon that they had signed forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year, entry-level contract.
The New York Islanders announced on Thursday afternoon that they had signed forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year, entry-level contract.
The New York Islanders announced on Thursday afternoon that they had signed forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year, entry-level contract.
The 25-year-old just completed his seventh season with the KHL Spartak Moscow, scoring a career-high 31 goals with 16 assists in 65 games.
It was a breakout season for the 6'2, 189-pound forward after he scored just 10 goals in 63 games during the 2022-23 season, which was his career high.
Here's a highlight package from this past campaign:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEb6rYkVt_I[/embed]
Although information regarding Tsyplakov's cap hit has not been released since it's an entry-level deal, the maximum it could be is $950,000.
This isn't some random signing by Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Jim Paliafito, a scout who specializes in European players, was hired by Lamoriello ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft, and this move seems to be his coming out party for the Islanders -- if it pans out.
According to The Athletic, 12 teams had expressed interest in the forward, with The Post's Ethan Sears reporting that the New York Rangers had interest.
"His shot is accurate and powerful, he plays a forceful game through the neutral and offensive zones, and he’s not afraid to use his size to mix it up in ugly areas of the ice." (H/t The Athletic's Joshua Kloke)
The Daily Faceoff had Tsyplakov ranked as their No. 1 European free agent this summer.
As for where Tsyplakov will play, if he makes the NHL roster, he could certainly fill the right-wing role on either the third or fourth line, especially with pending unrestricted free agent Cal Clutterbuck's future with the club unknown.
Pierre Engvall, who finished this season as New York's third-line right winger, started the year as the second-line left-winger, so maybe Tsyplakov plays there?
A right winger by trade, is there a chance that Mathew Barzal goes to the left of Horvat -- where he's more comfortable, and Tsyplakov gets a shot on their top line?
There are options, and with the Islanders having $7.05 million in available cap space before this signing, which will be under $950,000, that means the Islanders fill a hole, leaving them with the ability to do more as their summer continues.