Islanders Rookie Camp: Tsyplakov Speaks; Kinkaid PTO

Day one of the New York Islanders rookie camp has come and gone. Familiar names littered the list of players on the roster, while new names arrived just the same.

Maxim Tsyplakov arrived, skating with the rookies ahead of the full NHL Camp that opens one week from today. It’s worth noting his locker was separate from the rest of the rookies and Bridgeport’s mix of players. Fellow signee Liam Foudy’s locker was within the rookie/Bridgeport room, so despite any push he might make, he seems predetermined to start in the AHL.

Elsewhere, fellow 2022 draft picks Calle Odelius and Isaiah George skated. Both are looking to play a major role in Bridgeport and potentially become one of the first call-ups for the Islanders on the backend. Both will play in Bridgeport this upcoming season and take the next step in their development.

Odelius talked of the experience of being at camp again: “It was great to get last year’s experience. Now, this year, coming here, I know everybody on the team and staff. It’s been much easier. My goal is always to make the NHL team. If not, I’ll happily go down to Bridgeport there, work hard, and hopefully earn a call-up from there.”

Also returning are Matt Maggio and William Dufour, both looking to force their way to the NHL squad and break into the lineup. With fewer forwards in the NHL clogging the roster, Dufour wants to seize the opportunity.

He told NYI Hockey Now, “It’s a new season, a new camp. I’m giving it everything I have. Let’s see where it goes.”

Speaking of the impending departures of Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, Dufour made a point to discuss how important Martin has been to him since he arrived. “The first time I came here, Martin and Cizikas brought me golfing. Marty always texts me (I’m) still close and practicing with him. At the end of the day, if he isn’t signing back, he’ll be missed, but hockey is a business.”

The other news of the day came from the first PTO the Islanders have unveiled. Keith Kinkaid, 35, arrived at rookie camp on PTO. Speaking with the media, Kinkaid made light of being the only veteran, cracking jokes, but did hit on the excitement and joy of being able to advise the younger guys, including goaltenders Tristan Lennox (2021 third-round pick) and Henrik Tikkanen (2020 seventh-round pick).

Tikkanen, 23, is a total monster. Listed at 6’9 by the Islanders, he’s massive in net. When he stands up tall, his hips are practically at the height of the crossbar. Kinkaid met with the media and talked about Tikkanen. “I don’t know how he moves; he’s crazy. He’s got a big body. He moves pretty well and got good reactions. I want to help them as much as I can with all the little things I’ve picked up in my career.”

Kinkaid joked, saying, “I’ll even get them to throw a two-pad stack in.” He concluded, “Both he and Lennox were awesome today.”

The story with Kinkaid will only develop further. He’s a veteran goaltender with extensive NHL experience who can be used in a pinch in the event that Ilya Sorokin can’t go at the start of the season.

Finally, Maxim Tsyplakov met with the media for the first time. He has worked to learn English and even mentioned that former Islander Shane Prince helped him with it in Russia.

The biggest takeaway from Tsyplakov’s media availability was the reason he signed with the Islanders.

“I don’t care for money. I don’t look at money. I look at my opportunity, where I can play power play and the P.K. I talked with both Lou and Patrick, and it made my decision.”

That right there says it all. Tsyplakov looked at the Islanders’ top-six situation and decided to bet on himself to improve it. It speaks of his passion for improving. He showed a lot of personality in his availability, talking about how Sorokin and Alexander Romanov had already taken him under his wing.

There will be plenty more, but day one was a success for Tsyplakov and the Islanders.