NY Islanders land KHL sniper Maxim Shabanov in latest bold offseason move

Did New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche just pull off another under-the-radar masterclass?

The Isles have officially signed 24-year-old KHL standout Maxim Shabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract, bringing a dynamic forward from Traktor Chelyabinsk to Long Island. Shabanov led the KHL playoffs with 10 goals and posted 67 points (23G, 44A) in 65 regular-season games. He’s coming off a career-best year, and Darche and the Isles reportedly had to outduel the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and others to get it done.

Let that sink in: the Islanders beat the Rangers to a rising Russian star. For that alone, this deserves a round of applause and stick taps all around. It’s the second straight summer that the Islanders have dipped into the KHL free-agent market, following last year’s signing of Maxim Tsyplakov. Both moves demonstrated the organization's ability to attract international talent, specifically from Russia, who may not have taken the traditional North American route, but can provide immediate impact. It started with Ilya Sorokin and has continued. The presence of Sorokin, Semyon Varlamov, Alexander Romanov, and Tsplakov certainly provides Shabanov with a level of comfort heading to the NHL.

Shabanov may not be a household name to most fans yet, but his KHL numbers stand out. He’s a smaller forward (5'8") but brings speed, elite puck skills, and a killer instinct in the offensive zone. Think of him as a turbocharged top-nine winger with serious upside. Darche has emphasized versatility and skill this offseason, and Shabanov checks both boxes. Add in his impressive two-way instincts and proven ability to perform in big playoff moments, and it’s no wonder the Islanders made this move a priority.

Noah Dobson’s departure may have left a void on the blue line, but Darche is working quickly to reshape this roster and is doing it one smart, low-risk, high-upside move at a time.