Islanders’ Maxim Tsyplakov shakes off rocky start, gives glimpse of skills in first taste of NHL

Some 10 minutes after the Islanders wrapped up their preseason opener Sunday, the area around Maxim Tsyplakovs stall in the visiting locker room at the Prudential Center looked like a bedroom that needed cleaning.

Gear and equipment on the floor.

Hockey bag open, but everything around it not in it.

Nearly all of the other Islanders had quickly packed up.

Tsyplakov, an equipment manager jokingly chided, had to get a move on.

But then again, everyone could afford him some grace.

This was his first game in North America, after all.

A winger whos played his career up until now in the KHL, Tsyplakov came into camp as perhaps the biggest unknown on the roster.

A preseason game is just one data point, and not an especially strong one, but the picture is a little clearer after the Russian skated 12:21 in the Isles 4-2 victory over the Devils.

Little bit harder first shift.

First and second shift, I think, I didnt like because the puck is loose, Tsyplakov said.

After is much better.

[I] understand how to play, Im good.

The night had indeed threatened to turn sour on Tsyplakovs first shift where he turned the puck over on the penalty kill leading directly to a Nico Hischier goal.

But he made up for that as the game went on by showing some skill as a power forward, protecting the puck well and dishing a smooth no-look assist on Julien Gauthiers second-period goal.

I know my plan, Tsyplakov said of the assist, which came via a three-on-one rush.

I need to look like shoot and the D believed me.

I can pass.

The way-too-early book on Tsyplakov based on training camp practices as well as Sunday night is that hell add some net-front presence and physicality to the lineup.

But exactly how much and exactly where in the lineup it makes sense to slot him is still up in the air.

During camp, however, his teammates have been impressed with how Tsyplakov operates down low.

Hes got a big body, its pretty hard to move him, Alexander Romanov said earlier this week.

Hes got speed and power.

Really strong, Noah Dobson said.

Hes like an ox out there.

Hes thick, hes big, he knows how to protect his body well.

Hes gonna be tough to handle.

Similar load to [Anders Lee] down low, in front of the net, hes a big load.

Hard to handle.

I spend the summers here, but [he] was kind of advertised, Kyle Palmieri said.

You knew he was gonna be a big, strong player the way he plays the game.

I really enjoy watching him play.

Obviously, first couple days of camp we havent done a ton of line rushes and things like that.

I think for him, Ive watched his game over the last couple weeks and theres a lot to like about it.

Tsyplakov also saw both power play and penalty kill minutes Sunday, though the PK obviously did not go as planned.

Roy blamed himself for that, since Tsyplakov hadnt gotten four-on-five reps in camp.

All in all, call it an encouraging if imperfect debut.

That is just fine for the Islanders, who are hoping theyve added an effective, goal-scoring, middle-six winger in Tsyplakov at just $950,000 on a one-year deal for this season before becoming a restricted free agent.

Dont be fooled by the contract length, either.

Tsyplakov worked in Moscow this summer with an English teacher to hone his skill with the language.

This is where he wants to be.

Gives me a big chance, he said during rookie camp.

I want to play hockey in big leagues.

And I want [to be] working with Patrick..

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