The flashes are real and unmistakable., but so are the growing pains.
Through his first week in the NHL, New York Islanders rookie from the KHL, Max Shabanov, has already shown why the Islanders believed his talent would translate — scoring on his first shot in the league and coming close several times since, often on bold, creative plays.
In between those moments, the growing pains have been visible, too — quiet stretches at five-on-five, occasional lost battles, and the look of a player still calibrating to NHL pace and physicality. “It’s a big league.