A year after Matvei Michkov’s early arrival in Philadelphia, the stage seemed set for another smaller but highly skilled Russian winger to join him on Broad Street. But it was not to be, as free agent Maxim Shabanov instead signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders on Wednesday evening.

The Philadelphia Flyers may have lost out on Maxim Shabanov, but they have plenty of in-house replacements who are just as good, if not better options.

The New York Islanders have announced they’ve signed KHL forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract. The deal was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, and confirmed by Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News.