New York Islanders rookie forward Maxim Tsyplakov has been an exceptional addition to the top six.
He fits incredibly nicely with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, a line that’s produced the second-most expected goals in the NHL, with 11.3 through 17 games.
Tsyplakov’s eight assists only trail Palmieri and Bo Horvat for the team lead, adding two goals. His 49 hits lead the team, with his nine takeaways leading the forward group.
He’s truly been a diamond in th rough fine for general manager Lou Lamoriello.
When #Isles signed then 25-year-old left winger Maxim Tsyplakov out of the KHL off a career-high 31-goal season for Moscow Spartak, he was a major question mark.
Now, he’s proving to be a diamond in the rough.
My column for @TheHockeyNews main site:https://t.co/NfrPmuaa1K
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) November 17, 2024
One of the issues Tsyplakov struggled with early on was his discipline.
He took seven penalties through the opening 15 games of the season but has only taken one over his last four games.
So, he’s certainly improving in that regard.
But there’s one other thing Islanders head coach Patrick Roy wants Tsyplakov to work on to truly unlock his line.
“I want him to cut down on his turnovers,” Roy told reporters in Calgary. “If he does that, that line is going to be very dangerous.”
Through 18 games, Tsyplakov has 17 turnovers, which is the second-most amongst the forward group. Horvat leads the forwards with 22, while Ryan Pulock leads the backend with 28.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Tsyplakov’s ability to slow plays down has been a strength, but at times, it has been a weakness, leading to turnovers.
Pierre Engvall’s decision to move the puck south instead of north got him in trouble last season, and we’ve seen that a bit with Tsyplakov.
While slowing the play down may allow his teammates more ice time to get open and make a cut, with Tsyplakov having the innate ability to hit them on the tape from anywhere, it has also led to him taking too long to make a play.
In the NHL, once the window opens to make a play, it can be shut within a second.
Tysplakov’s struggles are part of his adjustment to the NHL after spending his career in the KHL, where there is more ice and less forechecking.
From day one, Tsyplakov has been a confident player and has clearly shown he’s NHL-caliber.
The question is, once he gets fully accustomed to the NHL game, how high is his ceiling?
