Maxim Tsyplakov Takes Ice With Islanders Prospects Wearing No. 7 Jersey

EAST MEADOW, NY -- This summer, the New York Islanders signed Russian forward Maxim Tsyplakov to a one-year entry-level deal worth $950,000.

The 25-year-old had a breakout year in the KHL, scoring 31 goals with 16 assists in 65 games for Spartak, leading to a flurry of NHL teams lining up to sign him.

He chose Long Island.

Related: Why KHL Stud Maxim Tsyplakov May Have Signed With Islanders & Not Eleven Other NHL Teams

A few days after the newcomer attended Matt Martin's Poker Night , he was on the ice with the Islanders prospects on Thursday morning for the start of rookie camp.

He hit the ice in a No. 7 jersey, last worn full-time by Jordan Eberle (2017-2021) and worn by Grant Hutton and Dennis Cholowski over the last few years.

"I wanted nine," Tsyplakov shared with me at Poker Night, as that's the number he wore in the KHL.

Related: First Impressions of Islanders Newcomers Anthony Duclair & Maxim Tsyplakov; Some Other Notes

But, he is well aware and perfectly okay, knowing that No. 9 is retired for the late Clark Gillies.

So, No. 7 it is.

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