Islanders sign forward Maxim Shabanov to one-year, entry-level contract

July 02, 2025 - 6:14pm

Mathieu Darche smiles as he is introduced as the new General Manager of the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Howard Schnapp/Newsday via AP)

Maxim Shabanov, a sought-after KHL free agent, is joining the New York Islanders.

The team announced Wednesday it has signed Shabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract.

The 24-year-old recorded 67 points (23 goals and 44 assists) in 65 games last season with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL, setting career highs in points, assists and plus-minus rating (plus-17).

He added 20 points (10 goals and 10 assists) in 21 playoff games as Traktor advanced to the Gagarin Cup Final, leading the KHL in both playoff goals and plus-minus (plus-14).

Across 207 career regular-season games with Traktor, Shabanov has posted 150 points (67 goals and 83 assists). He’s added 31 points (13 goals and 18 assists) in 36 career KHL playoff appearances.