But as they closed their preseason with another strong performance Friday against the Rangers, there was more evidence that free-agent signee Maxim Tsyplakov could end up being the under-the-radar addition that could give this team an enormous boost in 2024-25.

Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) with a Spectacular Powerplay Goal from New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers, 10/04/2024

Tsyplakov is not the first, nor will he be the last, person to make such a jump. But the commonality with which it happens makes it easy to dismiss the scale of such a leap. So too does the relative ease with which most Russian (or other European) players pick up English — Tsyplakov very much included.

Tsyplakov may not have the wheels that a natural top-six forward would have, but what he lacks in speed, he makes up for with his IQ, quick passing, and stick-handling. The expectation is that he'll get a chance to skate on the second line when the Islanders host the Flyers on Monday night at 7 PM ET.