NHL Rumors: New York Islanders favorites to sign Artemi Panarin

According to the latest NHL rumors from Bob McKenzie, the New York Islanders have emerged as the favorites to sign Artemi Panarin.

The New York Islanders have said they will address their offense during the offseason. It appears they might be ready to get the offseason’s crown jewel of scoring. According to the latest NHL rumors from Bob McKenzie, the Islanders have emerged as the favorites to sign Artemi Panarin once free agency opens on July 1 at 12:00 noon.

Now, this might just be posturing from Panarin’s camp. This might just be a leak to try to get the New York Rangers or Florida Panthers to give him more money. But it appears, at the moment, the Islanders are the favorites to sign him.

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Obviously, this would be significant for the Isles. It would also explain why their extension talks with team captain Anders Lee haven’t gone as far as many expected. Also, it explains why the Islanders haven’t seemed too interested in bringing back Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner.

Panarin is likely going to command a seven-year deal worth at least $11 million per season. He could easily surpass $12 million a season. But Panarin’s worth every penny of whatever he gets paid. He’s a superstar wing in his prime. Panarin would give the Islanders a superstar to build around.

After losing out on Lee and Lehner, the Isles needed some good publicity. If they sign Panarin, it would be worth losing both of those guys. Panarin would squeeze in and replace Lee. Now, Lehner’s a different story, but McKenzie, as always, is on the case.

Lehner returning to the Islanders isn’t out of the picture. But McKenzie noted in a later tweet that Panarin and free agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky have the same agent, Paul Theofanous. Varlamov would be a nice replacement for Lehner. And likely a cheaper one as well.

It’s funny to think a year ago, the Islanders lost John Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A year later, they are in the driver’s seat and could be on the verge of signing Panarin. That would be, by far, the most significant free agent signing in Islanders history.