DETROIT — Patrick Roy has said again and again over the last 10 days that Max Tsyplakov’s latest stint on the bench isn’t a problem of the forward’s own making. Rather, he’s simply being pushed out of the lineup because the 12 guys who are in are playing too well to make room.
One way or the other, though, the second-year Russian winger’s situation is becoming one to monitor. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last Friday that teams are asking about his availability; Tsyplakov told The Post on Tuesday morning that a potential trade hasn’t been discussed with his agent.
“Not yet,” he said. “Just see what they do. We’ll see.”
Tsyplakov has been a healthy scratch 14 times in the Islanders’ first 34 games. It looked like he may get back into the lineup on Tuesday when Mat Barzal missed the morning skate in Detroit due to maintenance, but Barzal ultimately played in the 3-2 loss, pushing him out again.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
