New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov signed a two-year contract on Friday. The deal is worth $2.25 million annually according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and CapWages. Consequently, the team and Tsyplakov avoided an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 29.
Tysplakov, 26, scored 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 77 games with the Islanders in 2024-25. That’s respectable production for his role. Meanwhile, it was his first year in the National Hockey League.
Islanders and player preempt an unrestricted free agent year
If Tsyplakov and the club went to arbitration, the Russian would have only been eligible for a one-year deal since he is 26-years-old. His unrestricted free agency years begin at age 27. According to industry sources, Tsyplakov’s camp and former general manager Lou Lamoriello came close to an extension worth $3 million per season. However, they did not finalize the extension prior to Lamoriello’s dismissal on April 22nd.
Tsyplakov spent seven seasons in the KHL. Last year, he inked a one-year entry-level deal with the Islanders. Meanwhile, he recorded his best KHL campaign in 2023-24 with Spartak Moscow. That year, he posted 47 points (31 goals,16 assists) in 65 games.
The Russian was the last restricted free agent that new general manager Mathieu Darche needed to sign. According to CapWages, the Islanders have $1.686 million in cap space. However, Puckpedia places the figure slightly lower ($1.63 million).
