From question mark to exclamation mark, Maxim Tsyplakov is looking like a real game-breaker for the Islanders.
From question mark to exclamation mark, Maxim Tsyplakov is looking like a real game-breaker for the Islanders.
ELMONT, NY -- Maxim Tsyplakov was just a name on May 16.
Now, he’s proving to be a difference-maker in critical areas for the New York Islanders.
From Tsyplakov’s first preseason game, there was no question the Russian forward had talent.
However, he skated with Julien Gauthier and Kyle MacLean in a bottom-six role.
On that line, he played a basic North-South game but did show hints of brilliance:
After a few more games playing in that role, Tsyplakov got the chance to play in a top-six role, skating alongside Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri after Simon Holmstrom’s stint.
With more talented wingers, Tsyplakov showed why teams lined up for him this summer.
His IQ, passing ability, and decision-making made him a threat on seemingly every shift, as well as the power play with his ability to screen the goalie:
While a net-front presence is something every power play has to have, Tsyplakov’s ability to play behind the net and move to the front is a game-changer.
"He's nice down there,' Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said. "We were joking that it's Sippy's office down there. He's got good hands and good instincts to make plays:
As each preseason game passed, playing in four of the five, the newcomer became more confident.
In his final preseason game, he not only scored a goal, the eventual game-winner against the New York Rangers, but showed off that confidence, using his frame to drive to the net:
A player doesn't just score 31 goals in the KHL. That takes talent, so seeing Tsyplakov thrive offensively as the preseason professed wasn't a shock.
The question was how long it would take Tsyplakov to learn the defensive game.
The answer: not long.
"What's great about Tsyplakov is against the Flyers, I told him to make sure he sees the defense because that's a big difference," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. "The defense is always jumping in on the rush, and you need to keep them in front of you.
"And tonight, he knew that, and he fixed that. So this is a lot of credit for what he's been doing."
Overall, Roy has loved the growth he's seen from Tsyplakov.
"I feel like the more he's playing, the better he gets, and it's nice to see," Roy said. "I mean, he's smart, he makes good plays, and he moves that puck. He's using his size. And I love the fact that he wants to learn. He wants to be a pro. I mean, he's doing everything. Since he's been here, since the moment that he decided to come and join our team, that's his mindset, and his mindset is very good."
Having Tsyplakov progress gradually from a fourth-line role to a second-line role was part of the Islanders' plan.
"We started slowly with him," Roy said. "He played on different lines, and he earned his position. We want to go with the best lineup. I want to be fair, and I think he deserved that."
Whenever we spoke with Tsyplakov, he was cool, calm, and collected, which showed his confidence in himself.
After the final preseason game, Tsyplakov was asked how he felt about where his game was at.
"Practices are hard. And I feel better every day," Tsyplakov said. "I'm getting more rest, and I feel better. I like where my game is right now."
General manager Lou Lamoriello and the Islanders made a low-risk, high-reward move by signing Tsyplakov to a one-year entry-level deal with a cap hit of $950,000.
There was no ignoring the handful of KHLers turned Islanders who failed miserably, but from day one of camp, there was something different about No. 7.
From a question mark to an exclamation point is the best way to describe how Islanders fans can view the signing now: a potential diamond in the rough.