BOSTON, MA - APRIL 27: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets reacts after scoring in the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Boston Bruins during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 27, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

New York Islanders Anders Lee Is Doing Exactly What He Should Do

New York Islanders Anders Lee Is Doing Exactly What He Should Do by Brian Wagner

Artemi Panarin is one of, if not the biggest unrestricted free agents on the market. And according to a report, he will meet with the New York Islanders.

The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that unrestricted free agent Artemi Panarin will meet with at least three teams. And one of those three teams is the New York Islanders.

The other two teams in the mix are: the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers.

(Pagnotta later indicated that Chicago was no longer in the conversation.)

The last time we got a seat at the table for a big free agent he was leaving our team and exploring other options! But it seems that with Panarin, the New York Islanders are in the mix on one of the biggest names available. This just doesn’t happen to this franchise.



We Don’t Get Big Names

Over the past two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Panarin has tallied 169 points in 160 games. He’s scored no fewer than 27 goals in his four NHL seasons. And he’s scored 26 points in 27 career playoff games between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.

He’s an elite winger. One that the Islanders have been dying to get for years.

Pair him with Mathew Barzal (you’d have to call it the Calder line) and Jordan Eberle on the right-wing and watch pucks star filing the other teams net.

The New York Islanders just don’t get in on big names. They may have tried in the past, but they don’t get invited to the table. Our last big name free agent was Andrew Ladd. Andrew Ladd!

The leaps and bounds that the franchise has made with the Ledecky and Malkin ownership has been remarkable.

Say what you will about Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz actually building a winning brand of hockey on the Island, but if not for the investment that the owners have made in this franchise neither would be here.

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If, and I stress if, Artemi Panarin actually signs with the New York Islanders this franchise will have gone from a place players avoid to destination in a single year.