After a pair of free-agent signings on Monday, the New York Islanders ' plans are starting to come into view.
Mike Reilly will round out the defense after signing a one-year deal, and Anthony Duclair will play a considerable role on offense for the next four seasons.
However, right winger Maxim Tsyplakov is an under-the-radar pickup whose role is still unknown.
Tsyplakov signed a one-year deal with the team in May after scoring 31 goals in 65 games in the KHL.
Overseas he has 63 goals and 58 assists for 121 points in 327 games with HC Spartak Moscow.
Related: What Maxim Tsyplakov's Contract With Islanders Says About Expected Role
While he has the pedigree for his recent success, Tsyplakov certainly comes in as a wild card for the team's forward group.
When The Hockey News asked general manager Lou Lamoriello at the 2024 NHL Draft about Tsyplakov's role he said, "We did not sign him for Bridgeport. He's an NHL-type of player," meaning Islanders brass likely has high hopes for him.
However, after the events of free agency, where does he fit in?
As he begins the adjustment from KHL to NHL ice, it's likely he'll begin in a middle-six role.
With Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck out of the picture for now as free agents, a fourth-line role is open, but it's likely not the right place for Tysplakov.
It's become a theme that new players find themselves alongside veteran center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Tsyplakov is more than likely to line up on his right to start the 2024-25 season.
With 718 games, Pageau is a well-seasoned vet who has been surrounded by a hefty number of different linemates since joining the Islanders in 2020. That's because his game makes it easy for others to jump right alongside him.
Tsyplakov may prove to be a top-six talent, but Pierre Engvall has played on the second line with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri for most of his Islanders career before finishing the 2023-24 season alongside Anders Lee and Pageau.
Engvall's proven that he can produce despite inconsistencies, so it might make more sense for him to skate with Nelson and Palmieri to start while allowing Tysplakov to ease into an NHL role.
Lee is likely to be on the line with Pageau and Tsyplakov, but we could also see Simon Holmstrom there, too, with Lee dropping down to the fourth line.
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Another option would be Engvall-Pageau-Tsyplakov, providing Pageau with speed. That would mean the Islanders could move Lee back to a top-six role, but at this point in his career, is that a viable option?
Of course, with the offseason being young, all of this can change at the drop of a dime.
Pageau is a candidate to be moved due to his heavy contract.
With the Islanders having the benefit of ample center depth, Cizikas or MacLean are also decent options.
However, as it stands now, and regardless of where he plays, Tsyplakov is in a position to get consistent playing time and earn a role in the top six, with the third line being a good place to start.
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