New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Maxim Tsyplakov

The New Jersey Devils’ 2025-26 season ended suddenly, as the team missed the postseason with a 42-37-3 record. After a commanding start, the Devils collapsed when they returned from the Olympic break, resulting in their missing the playoffs. They will look to have an intense offseason to add depth, scoring, and strength on the blue line.

Every player on the roster contributed throughout the season, although some had a greater impact. This installment highlights forward Maxim Tsyplakov, who delivered an okay performance.

Performance With the Devils 

Maxim Tsyplakov did not spend the entirety of the 2025-26 season with the Devils. He began with the New York Islanders, where he played 27 games and recorded two points. On Jan. 27, 2026, ahead of the Olympic break, the Devils traded Ondrej Palat, a 3rd-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a 6th-round pick in 2027 for Tsyplakov. 

Tsyplakov played his first game with the Devils on Jan. 29 against the Nashville Predators. He took 11 shifts and played for a total of 8:18. He played in three more games before the Olympic break. When the NHL returned from the break, Tsyplakov continued to play on the fourth line, eating away minutes for the top-six players. 

On March 12, Tsyplakov scored his first goal with the Devils. New Jersey hosted the Calgary Flames, and the visitors were already up by two goals. It was Tsyplakov who scored to cut their lead in half. Just two games later, he recorded his first assist with the Devils as well. He played in nine more games to close out the season, but didn’t record any more points.

Impact With the Devils 

Just like Evgenii Dadonov, Tsyplakov didn’t have the biggest offensive impact this season. In total, he played 49 games, 27 with the Islanders and 22 with the Devils. In both of his stints with the two teams, he only recorded a goal and an assist, for a total of four points.

However, Tsyplakov did a great job of filling the role that any fourth liner should be doing: eating away minutes so the top-six players can get back on the ice and score. 

Last season was his first in the NHL, and he recorded 35 points in 77 games. He had a slower start to the season and was a late addition to the Devils for the 2025-26 season. Even though Tsyplakov didn’t have the greatest offensive impact with New Jersey, he still did a good job of holding down left-wing on the fourth line. 

Future With the Devils 

When the Devils acquired Tsyplakov from the Islanders, they also picked up his two-year contract. He signed with the Islanders for two seasons last year, with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.25 million. Tsyplakov’s contract ends after the 2026-27 season, when he will be 28 years old. 

The Devils have a couple of options: they could either keep Tsyplakov for the season or trade him to try and get a better return. Since the trade was so late in the season, Tsyplakov only had the chance to play in 22 games with the Devils. He didn’t record as many points as fans and the rest of the team would have liked, but he always has the chance to step up and perform better in the upcoming season, as he gains more chemistry and a chance to play with his New Jersey teammates more. 

Overall Grade

For the 2025-26 season, Tsyplakov earns a D. He didn’t spend the whole season with the Devils and only played 22 games. He didn’t have the greatest impact on the score sheet either, only recording two points. He still ate up the minutes in the bottom six, which was necessary to get the top six ready to take to the ice once more.

Whether or not Tsyplakov stays in New Jersey for the 2026-27 season is still to be determined, but he has the chance to start fresh with the Devils again.