Many fans of the New Jersey Devils have been calling for general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s job. However, on Wednesday morning, they can only feel grateful for his latest transaction.
Now, by no means does this mean the work is done. In fact, it’s likely just the beginning. The Devils needed to make one move to do another, and we know Fitzgerald wants to add a top-six scorer. Now that Dougie Hamilton is likely staying put, it makes all the sense in the world why Tuesday’s trade came to fruition.
So, how did each team do in the rare in-division rival swap?
The Trade
Devils Acquire: Maxim Tsyplakov
Islanders Acquire: Ondrej Palat, 2026 third-round pick, & 2027 sixth-round pick.
Devils Grade: A
There’s no other way to define this Devils trade besides an unquestionable win.
When the rumors started that New Jersey was looking to clear cap space, they went right to their star defenseman, trying to clear his $9 million.
Why? Well, Hamilton’s services compared to his cap hit are more digestible than Palat’s and what he can offer.
However, Fitzgerald preyed on a reminiscent Mathieu Darche, who has a history with Palat and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Thus, the Devils were able to move Palat for no salary retained, which is the unimaginable factor in all of this. Before, we were talking about the Devils having to dump Palat’s salary with perhaps a first-round pick attached. However, the third and sixth get it done, draft selections you don’t hesitate to move, and are so rare to hit on.
Plus, the Devils are actually getting something of worth in return. Tsyplakov is another KHL import who hasn’t lit up the scoresheet this season. Yet, he had an encouraging rookie NHL season last year and is a 30-goal scorer in the KHL.
Tsyplakov has just one goal and one assist this season in 27 games. However, in his rookie year, he netted 10 goals and 35 points. He comes in as a big-bodied forward at 6-foot-3, 203 lbs. His underlying numbers suggest there’s a player there who is solid on the rush, has a nose for the net, and adds a physical element to his goal-scoring ability.
If nothing else, the Devils acquired a serviceable depth forward for a far lower cap hit, freeing up $3.25 million in the swap and setting themselves up for a bigger add down the line.
Fitzgerald has made some questionable moves in his tenure, including signing Palat to the contract he did in the first place. However, admitting it wasn’t working and moving off the contract he inked in 2022 when the Devils missed out on Johnny Gaudreau, without retaining any salary, is a genuine win.
The only thing keeping the score from being higher is the fact that it didn’t happen sooner.
Islanders Grade: B-
On the surface, it’s questionable that Darche decided to take Palat on at his full cap hit, but the Islanders are gunning for the playoffs, holding third place in the Metropolitan Division.
They want their young guns, such as Matthew Schaefer and Calum Ritchie, to taste the postseason. It makes sense.
Zooming the lens out a bit, however, the Islanders have plenty of cap space to make this work for a season and a half. On July 1st, Darche has $22,556,667 to utilize while having to make tough decisions on Anders Lee and J.G. Pageau. Pending restricted free agent Maxim Shabonov will need a new contract, too. Otherwise, the Islanders have money to spend.
What makes it more digestible for the Islanders is all of Palat’s signing bonuses are paid out. And although his cap hit next season is $6 million, he’s earning $4.95 million in total salary.
The Islanders could use some depth, and that’s what Palat provides for Patrick Roy. Where he’ll slot in the Islanders’ lineup remains to be seen. However, he’ll certainly play over Marc Gatcomb and Kyle MacLean at the very least.
If nothing else, Palat is a defensively responsible forward who will help prevent opposing scoring chances.
Islander fans shouldn’t expect him to create any of his own, and in fact, he might even squander opportunities.
Yet, reeling in a third-round pick in 2026 after trading their own to the New York Rangers for Carson Soucy is a tidy bit of business, and adding the sixth-rounder in 2027 is just more ammunition for Darche.
It sounds like the Islanders aren’t done dealing, either. Adding the playoff experience in Palat, despite his offensive ineptitude, is fine for a season and a half, and he’s certainly going to be a positive in the locker room and on the Islanders bench in crucial moments.
It looks fine for the Islanders, too, if it doesn’t work out. Darche can buy Palat out for an assimilable $2.7 million against the cap in 2026-27 and $1.65 million in 2027-28.
If not, perhaps if Nashville sells, the Islanders are a candidate for Steven Stamkos. Adding Palat—who is obviously familiar with Stamkos from their cup-winning days with the Lightning, like Darche—gives the Predators forward more reason to waive his trade protection.
Palat’s add on Long Island is riskier than Tsyplakov’s in New Jersey. Although this trade looks relatively like a win-win, the edge goes to New Jersey in the big picture.
