Key Takeaways
- Maxim Shabanov picked the Islanders after evaluating role, linemates, and power-play systems over money or hype.
- Utah, Philadelphia, Vegas, Boston, and the Rangers were among the NHL teams pushing hard to sign him.
- His agent Alexander Chernykh said the forward took time to understand every detail, with talks involving coaches and system breakdowns.
Maxim Shabanov (Photo by hctraktor.org)
The New York Islanders have signed forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 24-year-old was one of the most sought-after undrafted free agents coming out of the Kontinental Hockey League this summer.
“There were a lot of options,” Shabanov’s agent, Alexander Chernykh, told RG in an exclusive interview. “Utah really wanted him. So did Philadelphia, Vegas, Boston, the Rangers. So many teams. Some clubs even lost patience because the decision took a while. We were getting five or six calls a day.”
Shabanov had a breakout season in the KHL, recording 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 games for Traktor Chelyabinsk. He added 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 21 playoff games, helping Traktor reach the Gagarin Cup Final. He led the league in playoff goals and plus-minus (+14) and was a finalist for the KHL’s Most Valuable Player award.
Despite going undrafted, Shabanov became a top NHL target thanks to his scoring touch and strong two-way play.
Role and Ice Time
According to Chernykh, Shabanov took his time to make the right choice—focusing on how and where he would fit in, not just which team offered the most.
“He has his own checklist,” Chernykh said. “The most important thing was ice time—how much he’d play, who he’d play with. He went deep into the details. He asked about power-play systems, he talked to coaches, he wanted to understand everything. That’s why the negotiations took so long.”
Shabanov does not yet speak English fluently, so most of the conversations were handled through his representatives.
Next Steps: Training, Visas, and Timeline
The forward finished his KHL season in mid-May and is now beginning his offseason training. According to Chernykh, plans are being made in coordination with the Islanders, and visa arrangements are underway.
“He’s been resting for a bit, but now we’re starting to build a plan for his summer,” Chernykh added. “There’s a lot to take care of—training, paperwork, logistics.”
Chernykh also represents Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov, who is currently a restricted free agent. Contract extension talks are ongoing.
“The process is ongoing,” Chernykh said. “We’re still discussing timelines and other details.”
