New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov found himself outside the top-six lineup during the recent game against the Detroit Red Wings, primarily due to Mathew Barzal’s return to the ice. Barzal, who had missed the morning skate after a minor incident in their previous game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowed Tsyplakov to remain on the sidelines.
Despite Tsyplakov’s improved performance in recent outings, the Islanders’ current 12 forwards are in good form, making any lineup changes challenging. The team is riding a three-game winning streak, and Coach Roy emphasized the tricky decisions faced by the coaching staff in such circumstances.
“Absolutely not,” Roy stated when asked if Tsyplakov’s absence from the lineup was due to poor performance. He acknowledged the difficulties both for Tsyplakov, who deserves playing time, and for the coaching staff. The current combination of players is working well, with the fourth line led by Cizikas establishing a strong identity and other lines, including Ritchie with Duclair and Shabby, excelling as well.
Tsyplakov has been praised for his positive attitude and diligent effort, putting him in a good position to seize his next opportunity. The discussions around potential trades for the skilled forward are not uncommon and stem from his affordability after signing a two-year extension worth $2.25 million annually this past summer.
While the team may consider offers for Tsyplakov, they are not actively seeking to trade him. The 27-year-old is viewed as a valuable 13th forward, particularly amidst ongoing injuries in the forward group. His strategic use of size at 6’3″ and 203 lbs has allowed him to win puck battles and contribute to team play, even though he has yet to fully capitalize on his goal-scoring potential.
In his second NHL season, Tsyplakov has recorded 1 goal and no assists over 20 games with an average of 9:20 minutes ice time, in addition to registering 37 hits. The Islanders find themselves in a favorable position, benefiting from the depth of their roster and having seasoned players available, which ideally fosters competition and readiness among the team members.