The New Jersey Devils executed a trade deal sending veteran winger Ondrej Palat, along with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, to the New York Islanders. In return, the Devils acquired forward Maxim Tsyplakov, as announced by both teams.
Palat, 34, had been a subject of trade speculation for some time. The Devils had already scratched him from a home game against the Winnipeg Jets prior to the trade for roster-management purposes. He carried a $6 million cap hit through next season, which the Devils have now cleared. Palat joined New Jersey on a five-year, $30 million contract after a decade-long tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won two Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
There was no salary retention involved in this trade, and Palat holds both a no-movement clause and a 10-team trade list. These contractual terms ensure the player’s control over any potential waivers or trades. The Islanders, meanwhile, continued their roster building after acquiring Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers just one day prior.
Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, who worked with Palat during Tampa Bay’s championship runs, aimed to add a reliable veteran to the roster. Palat has several 40-plus point seasons under his belt, with a career-high 63 points in 2014-15. His recent production dipped in New Jersey, however, reaching no more than 31 points in a single season and currently tallying only four goals and ten points this year.
Advanced analytics show that Palat’s defensive contribution remains positive with a plus-0.6 rating, but his offensive impact stands at minus-4.8. Despite this, Islanders coach Patrick Roy values Palat’s dependable experience. Darche recouped a third-round pick in this deal, balancing the draft capital given up in the Soucy trade, while acquiring Palat’s leadership.
For the Devils, the essential gain lies in shedding Palat’s large contract. Maxim Tsyplakov, the player coming back to New Jersey, is 27 and possesses promising upside. Tsyplakov posted a solid 35-point rookie season in 2024-25, including 10 goals, but his current season has been less productive with only one goal and one assist in 27 games so far.
Tsyplakov is signed through 2026-27 with an annual cap hit of $2.25 million, offering New Jersey a cost-effective forward with potential for growth. This trade reflects both teams’ strategic maneuvers to adjust their rosters and cap situations moving forward.
Trade Summary:
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New Jersey Devils send:
- Ondrej Palat (veteran winger)
- 2026 third-round draft pick
- 2027 sixth-round draft pick
- New York Islanders send:
- Maxim Tsyplakov (forward, 27 years old)
By acquiring Palat, the Islanders add proven Stanley Cup experience and veteran leadership. The Devils, on the other hand, free up significant cap space and invest in a younger, lower-cost player in Tsyplakov, aligning with their longer-term roster planning.
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