After being named an AHL All-Star in his first two years with the New York Islanders, forward and restricted free agent Ruslan Iskhakov elected to sign in the KHL until 2026.
Related: Clarity On Islanders Ruslan Iskhakov After KHL Rumors Swirled
The 24-year-old did all he could at the AHL level, as he was just waiting to get called up.
That dream happened ahead of the Islanders’ season finale against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he notched his first career point.
Then, due to an ailing injury to Matt Martin, Iskhakov skated in Game 4 of the first round against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Islanders won in double overtime, keeping their season alive for one more game.
The Islanders tendered a qualifying offer to Iskhakov, but even though he didn’t accept, the team still owns his rights until he turns 27.
They’ll closely monitor his performance in the KHL with CSKA Moscow.
Iskhakov has a goal through two games thus far, as we’ll be sharing game-by-game updates.
Current Islanders player and fellow Russian Alexander Romanov was interviewed and asked about Iskhakov and what went wrong in his first stint with the Islanders:
The key takeaway that Islanders fans should take from that is that Iskhakov is trying again for an NHL job after his two-year deal with CSKA comes to an end.
For many professional athletes, playing at the highest level comes down to their work and being in the right place at the right time.
The Islanders didn’t feel that they had an opening in the top six for Iskhakov. Playing in a bottom-six role in the NHL isn’t the best spot for a player whose game is based on finesse and offense.
Iskhakov’s timing and game didn’t align with the Islanders’ game plan, but that could change in two years.
While the opportunity has to present itself in 2026-27, Iskhakov must also take the next two seasons to improve his game and convince the Islanders that he deserves more of a chance than he got his first time around.
TOP STORIES
Related: Iskhakov KHL Bound, Three Bridgeport Islanders Who Will Need To Produce