ELMONT, NY-- Forward Maxim Tsyplakov is making his NHL debut on Thursday night when the New York Islanders host the Utah Hockey Club. 

Ahead of puck drop, Tsyplakov hit the ice for warmups, but he did not take a rookie lap:

Tsyplakov is eligible for the Calder trophy, which is awarded to the best rookie, as he turned 26 on Sept. 19.

The rule is that "a player must be 26 years old or younger by Sept. 15 of their rookie season" to qualify for the award.

Tsyplakov will skate alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on the Islanders' second line while also serving as the net-front guy on the top power-play unit.