New York Islanders Impact of Max Pacioretty Trade on Artemi Panarin

On Monday morning the hockey public woke up to the Montreal Canadiens finally trading Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights. What could this mean for the New York Islanders and their pursuit of Artemi Panarin?

The New York Islanders are said to be one of a few teams that Columbus Blue Jackets winger Artemi Panarin would be interested in joining. Two months ago, Elliotte Friedman mused that the Islanders were on Panarin’s short list, and just over a week ago Aaron Portzline seemed to have confirmed it (subscription required).

Landing a point-per-game winger to add to their already point per game center in Mathew Barzal would be a huge get for the New York Islanders. Not only because of the impact the two could have on the direction of the franchise on the ice, but off of is as well.

Wanting Panarin and getting him are two different things. Panarin isn’t a free agent until July 1, 2019. When the New York Islanders and most of the NHL will be trying to recruit the Russian’s services. If the Islanders want him, they’ll have to trade for him.

Both Artemi Panarin and Max Pacioretty seemed to have been in a similar situation, that is before Pacioretty was traded in the early hours of Monday morning. What does the trade for Pacioretty tell us about a possible trade for Panarin?

What Will It Take?

Max Pacioretty was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick in 2019.

Tomas Tatar is, in a great year, a 30 goal scorer and a 56 point player in the NHL. Nick Suzuki is a prospect that put up 234 points in 192 OHL games. And the second round pick the Habs got comes from the Blue Jackets, who if all goes well, might be without their top scorer this season. That might be an early second round pick.

All for a player whos best year was 39 goals and 67 points. Max Pacioretty is actually the tenth best goal scorer in the NHL over the last five years with 158 goals. What does a player who’s scored the seventh most points in the last three years get?

The New York Islanders are going to have to give up more than the Habs did. A 60 point player, two blue-chip NHL ready prospects and a first-round pick will get it done.

I know that I previously wrote Kieffer Bellows was one of the few players that were untradable for the New York Islanders. But after contemplation and after seeing the Golden Knights ship a 1.22 point-per-game prospect I’m changing my mind on Bellows.

Unlike Tatar, Eberle is a 60 point player today. Tatar hasn’t put up 50+ points or close to 30 goals since 2014-15. Eberle scored 25 goals and 59 points just last season. With Bellows the Blue Jackets get a prospect ready for the NHL today with a pretty high ceiling. And then a first round pick in next years draft.

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Keep in mind Artemi Panarin is still on an expiring deal. Getting a young player with a high ceiling like Bellows, a first-round pick and a 60 point player in Jordan Eberle should get Artemi Panarin to the Islanders