New York Islanders Trade Target Artemi Panarin Should Be Put on Hold

At the trade deadline the big name on the table is for the New York Islanders is Columbus Blue Jackets Artemi Panarin. The Isles might want to wait on Panarin.

The New York Islanders need to add talent to their roster. They’re a team that’s hard to beat but they often lack that creativity and spark up front.

The trade deadline is a great time to pluck that talent away from a struggling team. Or pick a star player looking for a way out from his current team. Like Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin.

Every Islanders fan wants Panarin. We know prying him from divisional rival Columbus isn’t going to be cheap. But comments by Panarin’s agents is going to make the Islanders think again.

Rental At Best

Today, the Athletic’s Craig Custance (subscription required) wrote about Panarin. Custance argued that Panarin, as a rental, is worth the risk.

As a pending unrestricted free agent Panarin would be a rental by every sense of the word in the NHL. But any team trading for Panarin would hope to get heir first crack at a long-term deal.

But according to Panarin’s agent that won’t happen.

Again, from Custance’s piece:

"According to an NHL source, Panarin’s agent Dan Milstein is making it clear that Panarin has every intention of going to the market on July 1 and that teams should be aware that “he’s going as a rental, at best.”"

I’m sure Panarin isn’t too pleased about those comments by his agent, even if they’re 100 percent accurate. I’m sure teams still figure they can convince Panarin to sign before July 1 and will trade for him.

But the cost and the risk make me pause.

Before Milstein’s comments the risk of losing Panarin to free agency on July 1 was certainly possible. But now that it’s essentially guaranteed I’m not so keen on a deal.

Think about what the New York Islanders are going to have to give up for a divisional rival’s star player. A divisional rival that the Isles could very well face in the first-round of the playoffs.

That cost is going to be astronomical. You have to think a first-round pick, a blue chip prospect, and an NHL roster player. And that’s the starting point.

For a maximum of four months and a maximum of 49 games 21 regular season and a max of 28 in the playoffs. And then he’s gone!

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If I’m the New York Islanders I’m not so keen to go after Artemi Panarin with this type “July 1 bye-bye” guarantee. I’d rather hold on to what we got and take a run at Panarin in free agency then give up prospects, picks, and players to then chase him in free agency.