NHL Trade Grades for Ondřej Palát-Maxim Tsyplakov Devils-Islanders Swap

Rivals have become temporary partners in the last 24 hours for the New York Islanders.

After acquiring Carson Soucy from the Rangers Tuesday night, they made a move with the Devils, as veteran Ondřej Palát heads to the Island.

In return, the Devils take on a project in Maxim Tsyplakov. It's the classic swapping-your-problems endeavor: two underperforming players hope to find a new spark with a change of scenery.

Will it work for either team, or will they both realize the grass isn't always greener on the other side? Let's break down the trade for both the Devils and Islanders and hand out grades.

New York Islanders

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Maxim Tsyplakov

First-year Islanders' GM Mathieu Darche knows Palát very well; he was an assistant general manager in Tampa Bay with Palát for the back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2021 and 2022.

The Czech winger isn't quite the difference-maker he was back then. In his prime, Palat was a fantastic two-way winger, but even then, he was the third player on a line with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.

The Devils hoped he could do a similar job alongside Jack Hughes, but diminishing talent, injuries, and some issues covered up in Tampa Bay meant that Palát was never going to live up to his $6 million cap hit. His play has taken a turn for the worse this season. He has just 10 points in 51 games despite favorable offensive conditions.

The hockey instincts are still there, even if the skating and other physical traits are sinking. He remains a strong defensive winger who can produce around the net in cycle offense, and perhaps a move away from the Devils' fast, rush-heavy style will allow him to return to being a 40-point player.

That still won't justify his rather expensive cap hit this and next season, but the Islanders have a good chunk of cap space, and they also get two draft picks. At a minimum, Palat is a savvy vet who will help bridge the gap from rebuild to a more competitive window. If it doesn't work out, then they may be able to move him as a rental next season.

They're selling low on Maxim Tsyplakov, but it was clear that Head Coach Patrick Roy was running out of patience with the underperforming winger. Still, it's a lot easier to imagine a scenario in which the Islanders regret giving up on Tsyplakov's youth and talent than to imagine one in which Palat makes a significant impact.

Grade: C

New Jersey Devils

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Ondřej Palát

There are a multitude of factors that lead to this moment for the Devils. The team has fallen apart in recent months for various reasons.

It felt like the entire locker room was waiting for something to change, both because of chronic losing and because Jonathan Kovacevic's departure from LTIR would necessitate a big contract move to comply with the salary cap.

Compared to other moves the Devils were supposedly contemplating, such as trading Dougie Hamilton at a loss, this makes a lot more sense. Palát was underachieving in New Jersey. He's gone from overpaid second-line winger to extremely overpaid 3rd-line option. His offensive production evaporated. At 34 and with many injuries on his resumé, he's probably not going to rediscover the caliber of play that made him a top-six winger in Tampa Bay.

And his cap hit through 2027 meant he'd make the Devils' financials tricky next season as well.

In truth, a 3rd- and 6th-round pick may have been the appropriate price just to unload the contract.

The Devils also get a project of their own in the deal.

Tsyplakov, 25, is known for his offensive talent, yet he tallied just 2 points in 27 games for the Islanders this season. New Jersey does have one of the best analytics departments in the NHL, and you can see the signs in a trade such as this one. Last season, he totaled 35 points playing third-line minutes. His love for attacking through the neutral zone is a much better fit for head coach Sheldon Keefe's philosophies than Palat was. Neither he nor his linemates are finishing at a rate proportional to the chances they've created this season.

Even in a third-line role, Tsyplakov would play with more offensively optimistic players like Artemi Gritsyuk. It's a much better fit than the cynical checking role the Islanders wanted him to play. Of course, his $2.25 million cap hit this season and next is much cheaper than Palat's, and it's a lot easier to imagine him matching that value.

And at 25, he could be a useful piece in New Jersey long-term. Worst-case scenario, the Devils moved a couple of picks to get out of a problematic contract, but Tsyplakov could be found money.

Grade: A-