The New Jersey Devils play on Tuesday traded Ondrej Palat to the New York Islandersalong with a 2026 third-round draft selection and a 2027 sixth-round selection. In return, they received Maxim Tsyplakov, a right wing known for his physicality and net presence.
The newest Devil made his debut in red on Thursday evening against the Nashville Predators, where the team took a much-needed victory in extra time at home. After a promising debut, fans are eager to see what he can add to the team’s secondary. Without further ado, here are a few ways Tsyplakov can make an impact at bottom.
Canceling trade
On the surface, the Tsyplakov trade had a very specific goal: free up enough cap space to improve the Devils’ roster before the trade deadline. General manager Tom Fitzgerald ensured New Jersey came out on top, with $3.75 million now available to the team. Getting rid of Palat’s $6 million average annual value (AAV) was the main priority, especially considering he still had one season left on his contract.
Given his recent performances, Tsyplakov may not seem like a particularly notable player. In 27 games with the Islanders, he scored just one goal and one assist. But his on-ice stats point to a positive impact, including: 52.5 shots for percentage (SF%). Likewise, he had a 35-point campaign last season, including one game-winning goal and three power-play points.
During his first practice with the Devils on Thursday, he received a warm welcome and jumped right into the action ahead of his debut at Prudential Center. After practice, head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed how excited the group was about Tsyplakov’s arrival, explaining that his impact goes far beyond the scoresheet. “I think he’s looking for a fresh start. He’s a big kid and immediately emerges as our biggest forward in terms of size, but that comes with some skills,” Keefe said.
Promising Devil’s debut
Tsyplakov played a total of 8:18 in the Devils’ 3-2 win, but immediately stood out for his physical presence. He scored a total of five goals, second only to Paul Cotter.
Initially it looked like he would play a role in the Devils’ bottom six, but the 27-year-old Russian spent his first game on the second line alongside Nico Hischier and Arseny Gritsyuk. Between them they were responsible for five shot attempts and three shots on goal in 5-on-5 scenarios, and Tsyplakov did an excellent job of strengthening the line with his size.
Overall, it seems like Tsyplakov is finding his feet with his new team. Based on his debut, there’s no doubt he can add an edge to the Devils’ lineup. Physicality is also something the team has struggled with in the past, so having another player willing to pull his weight could be beneficial in the long run.
He also excels at moving the puck through the neutral zone, which could help the Devils create more scoring opportunities as he develops more chemistry with his linemates. Although he didn’t register a shot on goal against the Predators, he still impressed by disrupting the movement of the opponent’s puck. His first game may not have been the flashiest debut, but it could be the start of better things for the Devils.
Tsyplakov’s potential role in the future
As the Devils prepare for their final three games before the Olympic break, there are a few different ways Tsyplakov could fit into their group. The first option would be to keep his current position on the second line, hoping that star players can increase his point production.
The more obvious choice would be to put him on the third or fourth line so he can contribute depth scoring. However, the Devils’ current situation is precarious. They lost Cody Glass in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets after he blocked a shot and went through the tunnel. Now they will be without star striker Jack Hughes again after he left Thursday’s match with a lower-body injury.
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In the past, injuries have presented opportunities for players to step up, most notably during Simon Nemec’s breakthrough season in the absence of Johnathan Kovacevic. The question is: will Tsyplakov have a bigger role for the rest of the season?
The reality is that this is only his second season playing in North America. A change of scenery could help his current slump, especially if his ice time increases. If he can become a reliable secondary scorer, he could play a major role in the Devils’ playoff run. His physical playing style can become an asset, along with his aggressive offense. Hopefully, Tsyplakov will surprise the fans and be a bigger part of the team’s success in the future.
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