NHL Rumors: Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin could be package deal

According to the latest NHL rumors, Artemi Panarin now has the same agent as teammate Sergei Bobrovsky. Could they be a package deal this summer, much like Ryan Suter and Zach Parise in 2012?

Back in the summer of 2012, NHL free agency got hit by a tidal wave. Two actually – Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The two biggest names in free agency decided to become a package deal. Bidding was fierce, but the Minnesota Wild came out on top. Seven years later, could Columbus Blue Jackets teammates Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky follow in their footsteps?

On Friday, Feb. 8, Elliotte Friedman confirmed Panarin has switched agents. He went from Dan Milstein (famous for representing a lot of Russian clients) to Paul Theofanous. Theofanous happens to represent Bobrovsky.

More from Puck Prose

This could just merely be a coincidence. But Panarin would need a darn good reason to leave Milstein, who’s one of the most highly respected agents around. So maybe switching agents is more than a mere coincidence.

Panarin and Bobrovsky are good friends. More importantly, they could be missing pieces for a team who’s willing to shell out big bucks. Unfortunately for them, matching 12-year deals is no longer an option.

But if they’re willing to take short-term deals, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them wind up on the same team. Both Panarin and Bobrovsky should command significant cap hits. The former is regarded as one of the best wings in the NHL while the latter has won two Vezina Trophies.

Which teams would be the best fits for this dynamic duo? Let’s take a look.

Florida Panthers

Perhaps no team needs Bobrovsky more than the Panthers do. They’ve been cursed by mediocre goaltending for virtually their entire existence as a franchise. Even though Bobrovsky has been declining the past two seasons, he’d be an upgrade over Roberto Luongo and James Reimer.

The issue is, could they clear enough cap space to sign Panarin? Right now, the Panthers would barely have enough room to add Bobrovsky. They’d have to get really creative to get both of them, but the Panthers are a desperate team. Desperate teams tend to be motivated to find a way to get things done.

New York Islanders

Goaltenders love to play for Barry Trotz. Bobrovsky’s decline is a bit of a concern, but if anyone can reverse it, it’s goaltending guru Mitch Korn. Look at what he’s done with Robin Lehner. Now, imagine if he had a two-time Vezina Trophy winner to work with.

Panarin would make all the sense in the world for the Islanders. He’d give them the dynamic playmaker they really need. And just imagine if Mathew Barzal and Panarin share the ice. That would be one heck of a fun duo to watch.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils will certainly have the cap space to sign both, especially if they decide to buy out Cory Schneider. Before factoring in the salary cap increase for next season, the Devils will have $31 million available. If it rises to $83 million, the Devils could very easily afford both Panarin and Bobrovsky. And they’d still have change left over for other moves.

Carolina Hurricanes

New owner Thomas Dundon has proven he likes to do things his way. He’s basically the Mark Cuban of the NHL. The Hurricanes two biggest needs entering this offseason are offense and goaltending. Dundon could fix both of those holes in one huge tidal wave by signing Panarin and Bobrovsky.

Colorado Avalanche

Should the Colorado Avalanche continue their downward spiral, their ownership group is likely going to be frustrated. Front office head honcho Joe Sakic will be under pressure to get results. Signing Panarin and Bobrovsky would help fix two of the Avalanche’s biggest weaknesses.

Vancouver Canucks

Alright, let’s get weird. The Vancouver Canucks could be a dark horse to add both Panarin and Bobrovsky. Granted, they’d have to get a little bit creative to do it since Brock Boeser‘s going to command a hefty price tag. And Elias Pettersson needs a new deal after the 2020-21 season.

The Canucks are in a good spot, though. They have 15 players under contract for next season and over $30 million of cap space. Boeser’s their only guy who will command a huge deal. Thatcher Demko will likely just sign a bridge deal, copying the path of guys like Andrei Vasilevskiy and Matt Murray. A tandem of Bobrovsky and Demko might be expensive, but it would be really good.

Next. Trade Deadline Preview and Predictions. dark

So though the Canucks would have to clear some space to sign Panarin and Bobrovsky, they have a huge need for one of them and, if everything falls into place, could be an enticing destination for both. It all depends on just how confident the Canucks are in Demko and if Panarin and Bobrovsky are willing to take short-term deals. A long-term deal would likely take Vancouver out of the running for the latter.

For updated NHL Rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page.

Home / Rumors