Welcome back to "Who Is That Player?" Today we look at, hang on, can you all hear me? Oh it's not going out? Sorry, one second, we're still working out the kinks...
OK, much better. As I was saying, welcome back to another year of "Who Is That Player?" Today we examine that famous Islander, following in the footsteps of Bossy, Trottier, Gillies, and Potvin:
Maxim Tsyplakov.
Our square-jawed hero bursts onto the scene as a fresh-faced rookie this seaso- wait a second. I'm being told now he's 26.
Our square-jawed
26 year old rookie has his sights set on "Makaroving" the Calder race. Forget about Celebrini, Michkov and Hutson, Maxim has arrived.
After spending 7 seasons with Spartak Moscow the time is right to take the puny NHL by storm. Immediately vaulting into the Islanders' Top 6, Tsyplakov played the second most minutes in his debut only trailing Matt Barzal.
Casually winning the trust of noted psychopath Patrick Roy, Tsyplakov quickly shouldered the smaller, weaker competition out of the way in camp.
I'm very happy. From what I've seen, he competes," Roy said. "He's a good skater, he's strong on the puck.
Casey Cizikas likewise had high praise:
"It's like battling [Zdeno] Chara out there, man."
source
So keep your eye on big #7 tonight. If all goes well in a few short years he could be collecting his player pension and driving off into the sunset.
(This snazzy but dependable crossover is still the #1 thing that comes to mind when I think about the Islanders)
This has been, "Who Is That Player?"
