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New York Islanders: Artemi Panarin’s New Agent Has Met With Lou Lamoriello

ByMatt O'Leary|
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 12: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 12, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 12: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 12, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Artemi Panarin recently switched agents. Paul Theofanous, Panarin’s new agent, has already met with New York Islanders’ GM Lou Lamoriello this year.

With the New York Islanders in first place in the Metropolitan Division and a legit shot in the East, if they add a forward piece, the trade deadline is sure to be an interesting one for the Isles. They could look to add a small piece or, probably the wiser decision, a big name like Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, or Mark Stone.

Panarin is probably the biggest star on that list. He’s put up 25 or more goals in the first three years of his NHL career and this year he’s on pace for 94 points. Adding a guy like Panarin could be huge for this Islanders team.

Just this past week, Artemi Panarin switched agents. Now, Paul Theofanous, is representing Panarin, and he already has a connection to the New York Islanders.

Theofanous has already met with Lou Lamoriello this year. He also represents Islanders prospect Ilya Sorokin, which is what sparked the meeting. Sorokin is playing in the KHL and could be joining the Islanders in the near future.

Obviously, the talks were about Sorokin and not Panarin but you would have to think Theofanous meeting with Lamoriello already could help potential negotiations with the Islanders.

Trading for Panarin does have some risk because he pretty much said he wants to go to free agency.

Despite the potentially high cost of a player that could be a rental at best, I would still pull the trigger. I like Panarin’s chances of re-signing here just about as much as anywhere else. The Islanders have the cap space, New York City just a quick train ride away, a new arena coming soon, and a competitive roster.

Adding Panarin to this team moves the expectations goal post back to the Eastern Conference Final. As of now, I think their ceiling is a first-round win, add a point per game player to that the Isles have a shot to not only go to the Conference Final but to win the thing too.

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