News Islanders Team Notes

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: Tsyplakov files for arbitration

Rocky The Other Thompson | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Also: Rocky Thompson on Brent and Bridgeport.

There is a little more offseason business for the Islanders to do as one of their RFAs, Maxim Tsyplakov, was among 11 NHLers filing for arbitration.

That’s not too crazy — there are far more intriguing arbitration cases with players like Lukas Dostal and Kaapo Kakko — but it does put an endpoint on the negotiation window, as the sides will either reach an agreement or get one handed to them after the arbitration hearing window, which runs July 20 - Aug. 4.

Tysplakov is coming off his ELC ($950k cap hit) as a KHL import at age 26, so arbitration will give him a one-year deal with a new benchmark price after a so-so 10-goal rookie season. The Isles have a little over $3.9 million left in projected cap space with 22 of 23 spots filled, per PuckPedia, though that includes David Rittich in goal and Semyon Varlamov on IR, with a difference of $1.75 million in their cap hit).

Potential callups/replacements who aren’t in that 23 (e.g. Calum Ritchie, Matthew Schaefer when he signs) all have ELC-level rates, so that’s a fair picture of where they are, barring more summer intrigue and given Varlamov’s health is a question mark..

Islanders News​

• So yes, Tsyplakov filed for arbitration. [Post]
• In a rather angst-free season finale of Islanders Anxiety, Dan and Mike discuss the last week of intrigue and how things are just kind of cool right now. [LHH]
• We linked the raw video the other day, but here’s the official site write-up of Rocky Thompson’s media availability. He stressed building relationships with the players who will soon or one day be under his charge in the AHL, and his longtime friendship with mentor Brent Thompson. [Isles] And here’s Newsday version. [Newsday]
• Can Matthew Schaefer make the opening night lineup? [Newsday]
• That question, of course has a bearing on Isaiah George’s chances. [Post+]

Elsewhere​

• Here are all of the league’s arbitration filers. [NHL]
• Lars Ehlers took extra time and made lots of calls to feel like Carolina was the right fit. [NHL] It was an “emotional” departure from Winnipeg for him. [Sportsnet]
• At the other end of the spectrum, Jonathan “The Other” Toews “knew in [his] heart that coming home to Winnipeg was the right fit. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• J.J. Peterka is excited to escape Buffalo and take on a new role in Utah. [NHL]
• Apparently James van Riemsdyk is still playing, now signing with the Red Wings. [NHL]
• Try to excite yourself for the 10 top UFAs still on the market. [Sportsnet]
• R.I.P. Lyndon Byers, longtime Bruin of the ‘80s. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...ers-news-tsyplakov-arbitration-rocky-thompson

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders & NHL News: CBA sealed, Edmonton gets Howard, prospects jump to NCAA

Just cut the penalties, okay? | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Also: Gatcomb gets a one-way deal, leaving Tsyplakov as the only arbitration filer.

While the new NHL CBA (now freshly ratified) that takes effect in 2026-27 mostly maintains the status quo but with several improvements here and there (plus a longer regular season), the world of “amateur” hockey continues to churn.

As Canadian junior players make the jump to the NCAA that was not previously available to them before U.S. courts cut the college “student-athlete” charade, a top NCAA player has changed his mind and jumped to the NHL via a trade to the back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists.

Islanders News​

• Will Marc Gatcomb be on the opening night roster? He and the Isles avoided arbitration and he got a one-way deal, but with the competition in camp he could still end up in a “first callup” role. [Post]
• That leaves Max Tsyplakov as the only Isles arbitration filing. His qualifying offer was basically for the minimum, so they have time to work out a better raise or see what an arbitrator makes of his rookie season. [THN]

NHL News​

Isaac Howard, the Hobey Baker Award winner, was traded from the Lightning to the Oilers, with whom he immediately signed an ELC. The Michigan State scorer — who previously transferred from Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA’s new transfer portal world — had said he wanted to stay at Michigan State to continue the championship chase. Maybe the chance to be a missing piece on a Stanley Cup finalist swayed him otherwise. There were no stories last night shedding light on this process, other than the Lightning acquiring prospect Sam O’Reilly in exchange. [NHL]

• The NHL and NHLPA officially ratified the 4-year CBA extension. They’ll post the full doc later, though most of the key details have already been shared. [NHL]
• Next year’s projected 1st overall pick Gavin McKenna has left the WHL to jump to NCAA Penn State. (For the education, I’m sure. And six figures in NIL money.) Will others join him? [Sportsnet]
• The Canadiens have done a lot, but they still have a hole at 2C like so many teams. [Sportsnet]
• Grading every team’s offseason. [ESPN]
• Evgeny Kuznetsov wants to come back to the NHL, his agent promises he won’t cost as much this time. Duh. [TSN]
• The Avalanche have hired Dave Hakstol as an assistant coach. [TSN]
• Evidently Jeff Tambellini played for the Lightning? He replaces Mathieu Darche as assistant GM there, his “third stint” with the franchise. [Lightning]
• Tyler Johnson, once part of the Lightning reign that is now fading, has retired. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/20...d-edmonton-gets-howard-prospects-jump-to-ncaa

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: The quiet and the Dobson; Drouin and our Beau lobbyist

Not a Johnson, but also not... | Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

A fascinating trade because the main piece has high potential yet is so uninspiring.

We’ve entered the second-quietest part of the NHL calendar, with the biggest names — to the extent there were any “big” ones — off the UFA market and only the arbitration hearing calendar to keep the usual Canadian professional liars from tossing their phones in the lake at the ol’ cottage.

The Islanders do have Max Tsyplakov on the arbitration docket, so there’s that to look out for, but the chances of that going too off-market or turning into a Tommy Salo situation are slim.

Meanwhile, the biggest Isles move of the summer continues to intrigue will be a fascinating one for the next several years. The team that gets the best player usually “wins” a trade, but in the case of Noah Dobson, there is a cap allocation consideration as well as the unknown futures of the two players they drafted (plus Emil Heineman, we need to somehow factor in his potential contribution even if it will never match Dobson’s).

Interestingly, it’s one of those futures-for-present moves that is getting praise for both sides, though certainly more of that is going to the Canadiens. The “what the hell is this guy anyway?” wild card of Dobson at 25 is what makes it intriguing. If he’s going to be the massive star some are making him out to be, then the trade is a huge win for the Habs, hands down. And yet...while “defensemen take longer to develop” and all that, the truly great ones have shown their potential before 25.

The Athletic actually had a nice breakdown of how things look, and while it gave the typical “if you have a chance to get a guy like this, you take it” angle on the Canadiens, it also conceded the warts in Dobson’s game that have made some of us okay with this deal:

Defensemen get caught flat-footed and puck-watching all the time. Mistakes are bound to happen in a high-paced league filled with scoring threats. However, the number of errors from Dobson was concerning last year, especially for someone asking for such a sizable raise. Technically, he was on the ice for fewer shots and expected goals against at five-on-five this past year, compared to 2023-24. But his fingerprints were on more goals against, which made his errors all the more glaring.

I really don’t know if Dobson will ever figure it out to be a true all-world, two-way guy that Team Canada says has to be on their blueline, but I think the chances are pretty low that the Habs ever deeply regret this trade. With the cap rising, at minimum Dobson should be a flawed but still productive offensive blueliner.

I know Alex Pietrangelo had warts in his game at 21, 22, 23, but he also was farther on the star curve and more competent in his own end (and the PK) than Dobson well before 25. Pietrangelo would not have had Butch Goring diplomatically scratching his head on a weekly basis as he seemed to about “the Dobber.”

Drew Doughty is of course an unfair standard, but he basically arrived at 19 being mocked about his weight and then immediately showed he was a force before he hit age 20. Point being, the truly great ones identify themselves well before 25. They take over games and inspire you with thoughts of “Damn, we could win a CUP with this guy.”

Dobson is somewhere short of that.

At the other end of the high-potential/hype, low hockey-IQ spectrum are the American Johnsons, Erik and Jack (no relation, other than the frustration they exacted on fans). They had skills, yes they did. They had hype, that, too. They had long careers even. But never, ever did they instill the confidence that they could be a #1 on a contender, except among certain GMs who ended up not contending.

Dobson is somewhere above that. But for me these examples help contextualize the decision the Isles’ new regime faced coming in.

Until this year’s trade deadline, I always assumed Dobson would be a long-term Islander, though I did worry he would ultimately be in the bottom tier of the league’s #1 defensemen. As if other teams would say, “Oh, he’s your top guy? That’s swell, but I’m definitely not jealous.”

For that reason, the Isles trading Dobson instead of breaking the bank for him — the Habs GM claims he took less to go to Montreal — follows a certain logic.

However, then there’s also the other variables that will always be there for this asset allocation decision, and the ripple of what Lou left us: With a rising cap that should have allowed a splurge, the Isles only forced themselves into a tough choice among Dobson and Alex Romanov because they have Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield all signed for combined AAV of $15.4 million through the next four years (and for Pulock and Mayfield, five).

That’s not a ton for your top four in the projected 2025-2028 cap world if they’re truly top four, but each of these guys is showing mileage that affirms it’s not 2020 anymore.

Not Only, But Also​

• This Isles fan visited every NHL arena, but the real takeaway here is calling Toronto’s Whatever-bank/tire Cent(e)r(e) “the MSG of Canada.” [Post]
• Rumored to be in their final season, Bridgeport announces “Sound Tiger” Saturdays. [THN]
• Anthony Beauvillier may be a rival now, but he’s still pumping Long Island’s tires as an unofficial ambassador to guys like Jonathan Drouin:

#Isles Forward Jonathan Drouin talked on #NHLTonight on @NHLNetwork about heading to Long Island! pic.twitter.com/L4kMUj0qFi

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) July 10, 2025​

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2025/7/12/24466184/islanders-news-dobson-drouin-beauvillier

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders News: In praise of Bruce, Jiggs; Tsyplakov on Year 1

We’re entering the final two weeks of August, “players seen skating” is in the air, Olympic orientation camps are around the corner, and the season that seems so far away is inching closer.

Islanders News​

• In praise of Bruce Bennett, who by skill and our great luck, has photographed 50 years of hockey including countless Islanders moments. I always thought about his career launching by covering the dynasty, but of course, it makes sense that he was also so close to the Garden, Philadelphia, (eventually) the Meadowlands and even Hartford, so he could shoot a lot of the early games. He’s now dabbled in bird photography, which is somehow even harder than shooting hockey. [Defector]
• Max Tsyplakov goes on a Russian show and discusses life in the NHL, greasy American food, Patrick Roy, the veterans who help but don’t let him control the playlist, his first suspension and more. [via THN]
• This day (couple days ago) in Isles history: Eliminating the Capitals in 2020, teehee. [Isles]
• Stan Fischler and others discuss Jiggs McDonald, who thanked teams for passing on Mike Bossy, John Tonelli and Mat Barzal. [Isles]

Elsewhere​

• Some 21-year-old named Frank Nazar who I should probably know but he’s a Blackhawk signed a seven-year, $46.13 million extension. [NHL]
• Three questions facing the Flyers including the evergreen one in Philly: What about that putrid goaltending? [NHL]
• Here are four has-beens that have already agreed to PTOs. [NHL]
• Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong seeks players with “ill will” and “determination.” [Sportsnet]
• In very standard fare, Auston Matthews discusses life without Mitch Marner. [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...-in-praise-of-bruce-jiggs-tsyplakov-on-year-1

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders & NHL News: September time…

A long holiday weekend (with zero hockey news) and a flip of the calendar is behind us, which means anticipation for training camp and all that good fun is just about here.

Islanders News​

• Summer pick Daniil Prokhorovo has turned his KHL PTO into a two-year deal with Dynamo Moscow. That should put him in minor pros with a chance to play in the KHL; and it means he won’t be headed to OHL Sarnia, which also drafted him. [THN]
• Benoit Hogue, the fastest MFer in NHL 94 (did I “coach” him to a 40-goal season in that EA game? Yes. Did Steve Thomas eclipse 60 in that season? Also yes. Did I guide Pierre Turgeon to 180 points as well? Of course), takes a walk down the Hockey Card Wall. The adopted Long Islander says the trade that brought him here was the best thing to happen for him. [Isles]
• Emil Heineman was doing pretty well for Montreal before getting hit by a car. [THN]

Elsewhere​

• The Devils and RFA Luke Hughes reportedly disagree on term, with him trying to line up hitting UFA at the same time as his teammate brother. [NJ via Sportsnet]
• Patrick Kane wants to make one more Olympic team ‘n stuff. [Athletic]
• Zach Hyman doesn’t know if he’ll be ready for the season start after wrist surgery, but he’s on track. [NHL]
• For Mitch Marner, starting a family while getting death threats and unending harassment were good enough reasons to pull up stakes and exit Toronto for Vegas. [NHL | TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/42774/islanders-nhl-news-prokhorov-hogue

 

[New York Islanders]

Islanders & NHL News: Prokhorov signs, Bennett honored

We are definitely in September now, as the Canadian sports news sites have called their staff back to produce The Content. There’s a modest wee bit of Islanders news as well…

Islanders News​

• Just after we talked about Danill Prokhorov getting an opportunity and pro contract with Dynamo Moscow (of the fading imperialist Russian invaders), now news has broken that he’s signed his NHL ELC. Not entirely clear where he’ll be this winter, but for his sake hopefully it’s not Russia! [Isles]
• Bobby freaking Nystrom walks the Hockey Card Wall. I have those cards he spots of him and Westfall and Howatt, though I bought them a decade afterward. He also talks about how Chico stayed on after practice to make those two grunts better. [Isles video]
• Islanders legend and one-time Devil Zach Parise is elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• And photographer Bruce Bennett! And…Devil Scott Gomez who was definitely involved with us somehow, I think as a mole with the redpants folk. [Isles]
• Ian Laperriere, previously and for quite a while with the Flyers, has taken a scouting gig with the Isles. Probably a Rocky Thompson connection but also maybe a mid-life realization that the Flyers are a terrible cult not to be associated with. [THN]

Elsewhere​

• Nonstop speculation of a far-off free agency departure? Drama around teammates? Quinn Hughes “can handle the noise.” [Sportsnet]
• The league and NHLPA agreed to bump up playoff salary cap compliance to the 2026 postseason. [Sportsnet | TSN]
• Can Kent Hughes get some cap flexibility, say, by trading Carey Price’s final year? [Sportsnet | TSN]
• Dave Lowry returns to Calgary to join their bench. Father of Adam managed 1,000+ NHL games as a player despite being not that strong a swimmer, so to speak. [TSN]
• The Senators will have a red (third) jersey again. Fortunately, it doesn’t harken back to their weird half-stare-at-you logo; unfortunately, it does appear to have some Vegas-style gaudy sparkly gold. [Sportsnet]
• Oilers CEO is totally not nervous about maybe losing Connor McDavid. [NHL]
• Former Predators owner and current Wild owner is totally not nervous about re-signing Kirill Kaprizov. (Impressively, he also gets in a “oh, poor us, we can’t survive in this 25-year-old arena that we just took gobs of millions to name after yet another casino” lament in there. Capitalism, baby!) [NHL]
• Edmonton schlepper talks self into McDavid staying: “There simply is no owner in today’s NHL who will make life better for McDavid than Daryl Katz — an Edmonton native who knows the intangibles count.” [Sportsnet]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is...ders-nhl-news-prokhorov-signs-bennett-honored