Since the start of the week, the New York Islanders have been quiet in free agency, with the only notable move being the re-signing of a defenseman. Mike Reilly And smuggling Anthony Duclair From the free agent market. As one of 11 teams averaging fewer than three goals per game in the 2023-24 NHL season, the Islanders were expected to pursue goal scoring this summer. One of the team's oddest moves to address this dilemma came in May, when the team signed winger Maxim Tsyplakov From Spartak Moscow.
In a story by Stephen Rosner and Matthew Page of The Hockey News, Tsyplakov’s future was communicated to the general manager. Lou Lamoriello On the 2024 NHL Draft, he said:We didn't sign him to Bridgeport. He's an NHL type of player.“Given the transition between the KHL and the NHL, Tsyplakov will likely start the season on the Islanders' third line and have the ability to move up to the second line if his play warrants it.”
If all goes as expected in New York, Tsyplakov will become the strong secondary scorer the Islanders have desperately needed for the past few seasons. Tsyplakov appeared in 65 games with Spartak last season, scoring 31 goals and 47 points. In the playoffs, Tsyplakov did not perform to his regular season standards, finishing with just two goals, four points and 14 penalty interceptions in 11 games.
As he transitions to life in North America, the Islanders may be wise to start Tsyplakov on the third line. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom. and Pierre Engvall and Anders Lee New York is set to play a middle-six role this season, which could give them a flexible roster that can be changed on a game-by-game basis.
