Report: Isles Remain in Mix for Top KHL Free Agent

The New York Islanders rumor mill continues to churn. Today’s news is that the franchise still has an interest in and is in the mix for top KHL free agent Maxim Shabanov.

Shabanov, 24, scored 23 goals and 67 points in 65 KHL games this season. Shabanov recorded 10 goals and 20 points in 21 games. His team, Traktor Chelyabinsk, ultimately fell to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in five games in the Gagarin Cup (KHL Championship). Yaroslavl held Traktor to just five goals over the final four games, with Shabanov being shut out. Shabanov scored and assisted in a 2-1 win in game one.

The scouting report for Shabanov to the NHL is a mixed bag. He has immense talent and skill, evidenced by his consistent KHL production. In just his third full season of KHL play, he posted impressive numbers. Last season, he scored 25 goals and 50 points in the same 65 games, adding 11 points in 14 playoff games.

It’s clear he has supreme offensive talent in a league known for excellent defense and physicality. For instance, when the Islanders signed Maxim Tsyplakov last summer, he came off a 31-goal, 47-point campaign in 65 games. Shabanov’s blown his point total out of the water while being an entire year younger.

His Size:

There’s also one major factor I’ve yet to point out, and it’s the elephant in the room when it comes to Shabanov. He’s officially listed as 5’8″ and 157 lbs. Being small does not eliminate his talent, as evidenced by his elite KHL production. In recent years, guys like Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat, both listed as 5’7″, have excelled.

Just look at Ruslan Iskhakov‘s return to Russia. At 5’7″ and 152 lbs, they’re almost the exact same size. While Shabanov has three straight seasons of solid, then elite production, the older Iskhakov struggled. In his return to Russia, he scored just 12 goals and 29 points in 60 games on a playoff team.

Shabanov, despite his size, thrives. He is a perfect player for the Islanders to throw a dart at. If his immense offensive talent shows through, it’d be a massive boon for the franchise on the wing.

Why the Islanders Could Land Shabanov:

Currently, there are six confirmed teams in the mix for Shabanov. They are as follows: Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Utah Mammoth, and the Islanders.

In previously debunked reporting, the Flyers seemed to be a favorite. Now, according to reports, the race remains open. Vegas and Philadelphia have been the most heavily rumored, but the Islanders have been keen since back in October.

Then, Ethan Sears of the NY Post initially reported it back in October. With Jim Paliafito likely heading up the effort (he’s who landed Tsyplakov), the Islanders have a strong chance. It doesn’t hurt that the Islanders have a Russian contingent that would help make him more comfortable adjusting to North America.

The Islanders seem to land a European free agent almost annually. Not all have worked out, looking at Nikita Soshnikov and Jan Kovar, to name a pair of examples.

With Paliafito’s expertise, it’s hard to dismiss the possibility, especially when Shabanov looks at the Islanders roster and sees a big opportunity for a role anywhere in the top nine on a team that could, potentially, win sooner than the likes of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

There is currently no timeline on a final decision, but conventional wisdom says the latest this will go would be no later than the first week of July. It’s something to monitor as the summer continues on.