Ok buckle up and get ready to know who Tsyplakov is. As Maxim Tsyplakov signs in the NHL, his team new team, the New York Islanders, will get an instant boost to their lineup for 2024-2025. Tsyplakov has played in the KHL for seven years, and continuously progressed through the ranks. When he was given the opportunity for an increased role this past year playing for Spartak Moscow, he took advantage.
One of the Top Non-NHL Players Signs
The contract that Maxim Tsyplakov signs is a one-year deal, and will maintain RFA status at its expiry. It is worth a cap hit of $950K but has an additional $1M as performance bonuses.
In 2023-24, Tsyplakov emerged as a top NHL prospect currently outside of the NHL. In his six previous years in the KHL, his career-high was ten goals. That only came in 2022-23, where he also added 15 assists. Therefore, he began to emerge as a scoring threat. At 6’3″, 190 lbs, he can inject some size into the lineup, so he always had that working for him previous in Russia. However, this year he really put it all together. He scored 31 goals and added 16 assists for 47 points in 65 career games. Furthermore, he actually played in the World Junior Championships once upon a time in 2018.
What Will the Russian Right Winger Mean to the Islanders Lineup
This will inject a nice scoring addition into the lineup. After his big year in the KHL, he should be able to carry his momentum to the NHL. We have seen it by the likes of Kirill Kaprizov or Artem Zub in recent memory. Although their success might have been more sustained leading up to his NHL signing, Tsyplakov has done excellent in his own right. To be able to progress as steadily as he has, is admirable. He is fully deserving of his shot in the NHL, and given his style, should fit in nicely. The Islanders play a responsible game, with some talent sprinkled in. Look for Tsyplakov’s skillset to fit in nicely going forward.
Main photo credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
