New York Islanders: Pros and Cons of UFA Artemi Panarin Suitors

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COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 5: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

New York Islanders

Pros

As a team, the New York Islanders are trending young. They already have Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and Devon Toews making waves in the NHL. Behind them is a slew of blue-chip prospects that are ready to take the NHL by storm.

Players like Oliver Wahlstrom, Noah Dobson, Kieffer Bellows, Bode Wilde, and Ilya Sorokin are all steps away from the NHL. The Islanders aren’t only good now, they’ll be good for years to come.

Just like the Panthers, the Islanders are in “win-now” mode. They have depth on the roster, world-class management with Lou Lamoriello, and world-class coaching in Barry Trotz.

The Islanders may not be situated on Manhattan, but they’re still very much part of the New York market. Panarin can take advantage of the biggest sports market in the world, and slip into the suburban obscurity that is Long Island. That’s called having your cake and eating it too.

Cons

Just like the Florida Panthers, the New York Islanders don’t have the largest fan base in the league. It’s no secret that the Islanders have also had attendance issues.

And with games still being played at the Barclays Center until Belmont is up and running, that issue may persist. With that being said, there’s also the issue of splitting home games between the Coliseum and the Barclays Center.

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And then there’s the question of what an Artemi Panarin mega-deal does to the New York Islanders cap now and in the future. Just next season, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, and Devon Toews will need an extension. And with their current career trajectories, those extensions won’t be cheap.