"It takes luck to create something in eight minutes - I haven't had this for a long time"

Maxim Tsyplakov's career in North America began rapidly. In his debut season for the Islanders, the Russian forward scored 35 (10+25) points in 77 games. But more important than the statistics was something else: he immediately gained a foothold in the squad and never went to the farm club. However, his career followed a less pleasant scenario. The loss of trust on Long Island led to an exchange in New Jersey. There was no rise in the new team. The Devils clearly expected to see a more noticeable impact on the game, and this summer Maxim changed clubs again, becoming part of a deal between New Jersey and Calgary. For Tsyplakov, this is a new chance to restart his career. The 27-year-old striker said this in an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express.

"After Lou Lamorello left, I was thrown into the fourth three"

— You went to the NHL as a star, you spent the first year normally, and then suddenly you were exchanged, the second exchange. Do you understand what's going on?

— I asked for the first exchange myself, because they didn't give me any options to play. I arrived and found myself in the same situation.

— The fact that you asked for an exchange is also a signal that everything was bad. Why did everything change so much in your second year?

— Lou Lamorello probably left, and Patrick Roy was given more opportunities. And I was thrown into the fourth three.

— You could have played in the fourth tier, in principle, you can do it. Or was it just that something wasn't going at all?

"It's not that it didn't work out. I just asked for at least a little more playing time so that I could cling to something, so that there would be opportunities. And not just running, pushing and doing menial work in defense.

— You were traded to New Jersey, but you're not particularly happy either?

— Initially, when I came, they said, "That's it, we'll give you the opportunity, we'll do everything." I was traded, and Jack Hughes got injured in the first game. They put me out of the top three with Hishir in the fourth, and I didn't get up again. Hughes got injured, that's all. Apparently, the coach didn't really know me and didn't want to trust me. I played for eight minutes. They didn't give me any opportunities, although I tried: during the Olympic break I was preparing all the time, I didn't go anywhere, I didn't rest. I seemed to start well after the break, I felt good, but still they didn't even let me prove myself.

— So you got into a wave: the coach has changed here, there is a different vision. You haven't gotten any worse at acting yourself, have you?

"I don't think so. Of course, when playing time is cut, you probably need good luck — to be able to create something in eight minutes. I don't know how. Maybe someone can do that. I haven't had this for a long time. I tried to motivate myself, but there was still little chance of doing anything.

"As long as I have the opportunity, I will play in the NHL"

Pittsburgh forward Egor Chinakhov talks about the exchange that helped open up his relationship with Malkin and the importance of trust

"I need to have a good season and continue to see what I can expect"

— How did you experience this period in a human way? Was it hard?

—No way. The family helped. But all the same, when they changed it, I lived there alone, so to speak. I came home for the weekend, then back to the island. It was inconvenient to move to another city in the middle of the season. Although I drove home for 40 minutes at night on an empty road. As it was, I just wanted to finish the season and prepare with renewed vigor. Plus, there are good opportunities now.

— It is clear that there are hopes. Did they talk to you at Calgary? What do they say?

— The coach and the general manager called and said, "If you play the same way as in the first season..." But they didn't specify the time. Because in my first season with the Islanders, I played an average of 15 minutes per game, but I didn't even watch this one. I don't want to. I think it's 8-9 minutes on average.

Of course, if they give you the opportunity for five or seven games to get at least something with playing time and the majority, I hope maybe the minority will give it. When I came to New Jersey, I was given the lead only once, and in the very first game I came out, the puck came off, the goal was scored, and they didn't put me up anymore. I think it's a great opportunity. And so, of course, you just have to cling.

— Aren't you upset about the last season?

— Of course, it's a shame. There were other expectations. But it is as it is.

— The problem with Canadian clubs is that the pressure on hockey players there is many times greater than in the Islanders or New Jersey. Maybe there's something similar in Chicago. Are you ready to handle this pressure?

— And how is it interconnected?

— I mean the media and the fans. If you play badly, everyone starts putting pressure on the management: he's not playing well, take it away. Are you ready for this?

— I don't really read anything, I don't go on social media or anywhere else. I react calmly to everything. If they talk to me, I'll answer. It doesn't get me emotional. So you just have to play.

— How are you doing in English?

— Better already.

— Is it so much better that you can have a one-on-one conversation with the coach?

— Yes, I'm talking calmly. When I was in New Jersey, I talked to him almost every week. But apparently he didn't need it.

— Can you give an interview in English?

— Yes, briefly. I'll explain what needs to be explained.

— Your contract ends this year.

— I need to have a good season and continue to see what I can count on.