Maxim Shabanov

Shabanov is coming over to North America on a one-year, entry-level deal with the Islanders after playing in Russia for several years. There's some potential here, as his offensive output increased in each of his last three years in the KHL. The 24-year-old produced 23 goals, 44 assists and a plus-17 rating over 65 regular-season contests in 2024-25, and he also had 20 points in 21 postseason outings. Those are impressive numbers, and while he is a skilled player, his size (5-foot-8, 156 pounds) is a concern for making the transition to the NHL. The left-shot winger is a name worth monitoring this year, but he'll need to prove he can be an effective player on a smaller ice surface -- he could end up in the AHL if he doesn't impress the Islanders' coaching staff. Read Past Outlooks