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New York Islanders Artemi Panarin Update: CBJ Offer and Expectation

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 18: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 18, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 18: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 18, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders went from favored to land unrestricted free agent Artemi Panarin to facing a serious last-minute push from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On Sunday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported that the New York Islanders were the favorites to land prized unrestricted free agent Artemi Panarin. And then, at the eleventh hour, the Columbus Blue Jackets came back around on Panarin, offering him a mega-deal.

According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline (subscription required), the deal could be up to $100 million dollars over an eight-year period. That’s a $12.5 million AAV. The same cap hit as Connor McDavid.

It’s an aggressive offer from the Blue Jackets, but time is ticking for them to pull it off.

Tick-Tock

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the only team that can give Artemi Panarin an eighth year. But they only have until midnight on June 30th to do so. After that Panarin becomes a UFA and they, just like, any other team in the league, can only offer him seven years.

It’s a bold move by Columbus. They’ve now forced other teams to increase their compensation for Panarin. If the Isles wanted to match that deal the cap hit would hit well over $13 million.

But then, from the top rope came Elliotte Freidman. Sportsnet’s insider indicated that the last-minute offer Panarin got from Columbus is something that’s been on the table for a while now.

"The problem is Panarin’s known this kind of money was available from the Blue Jackets for at least a year. So, unless his position on staying changes in the last hours before 12 p.m. ET July 1, it’s unlikely. The expected outcome is Panarin and Semyon Varlamov to the Islanders (Panarin at seven years, between $11-12 million)."

Not only does he dispel Columbus’ offer, but he then expects the New York Islanders to actually land Artemi Panarin. Not Florida, not the Rangers. The Islanders are favored to land the most coveted free agent on the market.

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