Islanders acquire Ondrej Palat, draft picks from Devils

Field Level Media|published: 01/28/2026, 8:12am EST

Jan 23, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; New Jersey Devils forward Ondrej Palat (18) handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders acquired forward Ondrej Palat in a deal with the New Jersey Devils.

The Islanders also received a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a sixth-round selection in 2027 in the deal on Tuesday night for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.

Palat, 34, has recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 51 games this season. He is playing on the fourth season of a five-year, $30 million contract.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Palat has totaled 515 points (181 goals, 334 assists) in 876 career games split between the Lightning and Devils.

Palat was selected to represent Czechia at the upcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.

Tsyplakov, 27, recorded one goal and one assist in 27 games this season with the Islanders. His time on the ice has fallen from an average of 14:59 minutes to 9:39 per game.

He totaled 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 104 career games with New York.

--Field Level Media