The honeymoon phase is officially over on Long Island. After a breakout rookie campaign that saw undrafted free agent Maxim Tsyplakov record 35 points and deliver 140 hits, the narrative has shifted drastically in year two. According to Elliotte Friedman, the New York Islanders have signaled to the league that the 27-year-old winger is available for a trade.
If you’ve been watching the Islanders closely this season, this doesn’t come as a total shock—but it is disappointing. Tsyplakov was the “found wallet” of the 2024 summer, a KHL scorer who transitioned seamlessly to North American ice. But the NHL is a “what have you done for me lately” league, and right now, Tsyplakov isn’t doing much.
Patrick Roy’s Doghouse: The Sophomore Slump Hit Hard
Here is my personal insight on the situation: You do not want to end up in Patrick Roy’s doghouse. Roy demands a level of intensity and defensive accountability that Tsyplakov simply hasn’t shown in his sophomore season.
With just one goal and zero assists through 20 games, and averaging under 10 minutes of ice time, Tsyplakov has played his way out of the lineup. It’s a classic case of a player struggling to adjust after the league has “book” on him.
However, I don’t think Tsyplakov is a bust. He is a 6’3″, 204-pound forward who scored 31 goals in the KHL recently. The talent is there. The issue is the fit with the current Islanders squad. With the team sitting 3rd in the Metropolitan Division (18-11-3) and getting healthy bodies like Jean-Gabriel Pageau back, the Islanders don’t have the patience to let Tsyplakov work through his slump on the first line. They need contributors now.
I expect a team looking for size and secondary scoring—perhaps a rebuilding squad like San Jose or Chicago—to take a flyer on him. He’s on a reasonable $2.25M AAV contract. For the Islanders, moving him opens up cap space and a roster spot for a veteran who fits Roy’s system better. Tsyplakov needs a fresh start, and the Islanders need consistency. It’s a move that makes sense for both sides.
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The post Why the New York Islanders Are Ready to Trade Maxim Tsyplakov appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
