The Russian connection has proved productive for the New York Islanders. The Islanders have four players from Russia on their current roster and having Russians on your current roster makes it more likely you will get more. The way a Russian connection works is that the recruited player talks to the current players and feels comfortable.

The Islanders are in on yet another Russian player for next season. They are currently one of four teams trying to use their Russian connection to recruit Maxim Shabanov. Shabanov is 24 years old and a forward who scored 25 goals and had 25 assists last season for Traktor Chelyabinsk in central Russia. This is all taking place in the Islander’s headquarters in Uniondale, New York.

Maxim Tsyplakov

The first Russian on the Islander’s current roster, and part of the Islander’s Russian connection, is new player Maxim Tsyplakov. Tsyplakov is a new player, in his first year, and currently plays on the Islander’s second line. As a new player, he is likely to have a greater effect on Maxim Shabanov. Tsyplakov can easily tell Shabanov what it is like to play for the New York Islanders and live on Long Island.

Alexander Romanov

Alexander Romanov is in his third season with the Islanders after playing two seasons for the Montreal Canadians. Romanov is a defenseman. Romanov can also tell Maxim Shabanov what it is like to be a new person on Long Island and with three seasons already on the Island. He has probably established his roots in the community and can tell Maxim Shabanov what that is like. Romanov adds a defenseman to Tsyplakov being a forward.

Ilya Sorokin

Ilya Sorokin is one of the two Russian goaltenders on the roster. Sorokin is from Mezhdurechensk, Russia. He has played for the Islanders since 2020 and is in the first year of an eight-year contract. Sorokin was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy two seasons ago and, though he did not win the award for the best goaltender in the National Hockey League, he is one of the best.

Sorokin had offseason back surgery and just played his first game of the season when the Islanders won at Colorado. What he can give Shabanov is the perspective of what it is like to be a star hockey player on Long Island. He is an interesting part of the Islander’s Russian connection.

Semyon Varlamov

Semyon Varlamov is a goaltender also and has been on the Islanders for six seasons. Varlamov is a 15-year veteran in the National Hockey League. He has also played in Washington, for the Capitals, and in Colorado for the Avalanche. He is a vital part of the Islander’s Russian connection because he offers Maxim Shabanov a veteran perspective.

Conclusion

The New York Islanders are likely to add Shabanov to their roster because there are already four Russians on their roster. The Russian connection will work for the Islanders. Adding Shabanov is a cost-effective move. Adding Shabanov would give the Islanders five Russians on the roster, which is a large amount.

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