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NHL free agency: 5 teams that need to sign Artemi Panarin

By Alex Hoegler

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)
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) /
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Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images /

Artemi Panarin is the top free agent in this summer’s NHL free agency market. Here are the five teams that need to push hard for his services when free agency opens.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are most definitely not going to retain All-Star forward Artemi Panarin this offseason, and he figures to be the most sought-after and highest-paid free agent in this year’s NHL free agency class.

San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson was the consensus number one pending UFA for much of the 2018-19 season. However, a series of injuries and a frustrating showing in the postseason will likely hurt his value, meaning Panarin should receive more interest and larger offers than the two-time Norris Trophy winner.

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Over his two seasons with Columbus, Panarin showed that he was anything but a product of playing on the same line as Patrick Kane. After scoring a career-high 82 points last season, he followed it up with 87 points in 2018-19.

Panarin also added 11 points in 10 playoff games, leading Columbus to their first ever playoff series win, a shocking opening-round sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning.

Practically every team would like to add him in free agency, but many of the prime Stanley Cup contenders won’t be able to afford him. Panarin should be able to land the maximum term of seven years, worth close to $10 million per season. That’s what four straight 70-point seasons will do for you.

However, there are five specific teams that stand out most as potential and realistic landing spots for Panarin. These teams are looking to compete for 2019-20, and they all have plenty of cap space to sign him to a massive contract.

Let’s take a look at five teams that need to sign Artemi Panarin when free agency begins on July 1.

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