Islanders Win Bid For Highly Sought-After Russian Tsyplakov

The New York Islanders signed forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year entry-level contract on Thursday afternoon, per an announcement by the team.

#Isles News: The New York Islanders announced today that they have signed Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year, entry-level contract.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 16, 2024

Official terms of the contract have not been confirmed at this point, but the deal could be worth as much as $950,000.

Tsyplakov is considered to be among the best free agents this offseason who has been playing overseas. It is believed that as many as 12 NHL teams were bidding to sign the 25-year-old Russian. According to The Athletic, the Toronto Maple Leafs were reported to have been interested in Tsyplakov back in February. According to Ethan Sears of the NY Post, the New York Rangers were also a suitor.

Tsyplakov has played for Moscow Spartak of the KHL for the past seven seasons. This past year, Tsyplakov set a new career-high, scoring 47 points with 31 goals in 65 games while serving as an alternate captain for the team.

Now set to join the Islanders, Tsyplakov will play in North America for the first time in his career. At 6’3 and 190 lbs, Tsyplakov possesses the combination of size and speed that Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello loves.

Watch out! Maxim Tsyplakov strikes from below the goal line. pic.twitter.com/Vf93bWYF7J

— KHL (@khl_eng) November 21, 2023

Tsyplakov projects as a bottom-six player and could compete for a spot on the team come training camp. Given that both Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck are unrestricted free agents this offseason, Tsyplakov could serve as a potential replacement should the longtime Islanders sign elsewhere.

FOLLOW ANDREW FANTUCCHIO ON 𝕏: @A_FANTUCCHIO

FOLLOW NYI HOCKEY NOW ON 𝕏 AND FACEBOOK