NY Islanders rookie Max Shabanov flashing skill and winning over Patrick Roy

The flashes are real and unmistakable., but so are the growing pains.

Through his first week in the NHL, New York Islanders rookie from the KHL, Max Shabanov, has already shown why the Islanders believed his talent would translate — scoring on his first shot in the league and coming close several times since, often on bold, creative plays.

In between those moments, the growing pains have been visible, too — quiet stretches at five-on-five, occasional lost battles, and the look of a player still calibrating to NHL pace and physicality. “It’s a big league. Physical league,” Shabanov said, as quoted by beat writer Ethan Sears of the New York Post. “Need to score it and help the team win.”

Even with the inconsistency, coach Patrick Roy has leaned in, giving Shabanov power-play minutes and third-line usage. The underlying numbers show the Islanders have been out-chanced during his even-strength minutes, but internally there is little panic and more curiosity about the ceiling.

“I just feel like every game he seems to be more comfortable on the ice,” Roy told Sears. “More confident. He’s moving that puck very well… I’m very surprised to see how well he’s playing defensively as well. That’s a pleasant surprise.” Roy singled out Shabanov’s defensive commitment in camp — including a day in which the 25-year-old waited outside the coach’s office to ask questions about defending detail.

If Shabanov shows enough consistency to warrant regular playing time, it will be a big boost to an Islanders forward group that is prone to dry spells and often lacks a finishing touch. The Islanders were fortunate to win the Shabanov sweepstakes over the summer, as he chose Long Island over several other destinations. It behooves them to give him time and space to grow into the player they think he can be in North America.