Up until this week, both Toronto and Montreal were hopeful about signing the rising star from the KHL. However, on Thursday, the New York Islanders surprised everyone by announcing on social media that they had signed the 25-year-old to a one-year, entry-level contract.
Tsyplakov has spent the last seven seasons with Moscow Spartak in the KHL, and his 2023-24 season was his best yet, with 31 goals and 47 points in 63 games. Players like Andrei Kuzmenko have successfully transitioned from the KHL to the NHL at an older age, and the Islanders are hoping Tsyplakov will do the same, especially after beating out two Eastern Conference rivals to sign him.
