Report: Islanders, Tsyplakov avoid arbitration with 2-year, $4.5M deal

The New York Islanders and forward Maxim Tsyplakov will avoid arbitration after agreeing on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.25 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Tsyplakov's arbitration hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. Due to Tsyplakov signing his first NHL contract at age 25, he needed only one season of 10 or more games to become eligible for arbitration.

The Russian played in 77 contests for New York last campaign, racking up 10 goals and 25 assists. His 35 points ranked eighth on the Islanders.

Tsyplakov spent seven seasons in the KHL before inking a one-year entry-level deal with New York. He recorded his best KHL campaign in 2023-24, posting 31 goals and 16 assists in 65 games with Spartak Moscow.