Islanders Acquire Palat and Picks from Devils

The New York Islanders acquired veteran forward Ondrej Palat and two draft picks from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov, bolstering their lineup amid ongoing roster adjustments.

The deal sends the 34-year-old Palat, along with New Jersey's 2026 third-round pick and 2027 sixth-round pick, to the Islanders. In return, the Devils receive Tsyplakov, a 27-year-old winger in his second NHL season. No salary retention was involved, leaving the Islanders to absorb Palat's full $6 million annual average value through the 2026-27 season. The trade follows the Islanders' acquisition of defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers on Monday, with the third-round pick effectively replacing the one surrendered in that earlier deal.

Palat, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021, joined the Devils as a free agent in the summer of 2022 on a five-year, $30 million contract. He contributed to New Jersey's 2023 playoff upset over the Rangers but has since faced production challenges. This season, he has recorded four goals and six assists in 51 games, a sharp decline from his consistent output during a decade with...