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Columbus Blue Jackets Dark Horse Artemi Panarin Trade Partners

By Lansing Murphy

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) in action during a match between the Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 12, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) in action during a match between the Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 12, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders

Columbus Blue Jackets
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 03: Casey Cizikas #53 of the New York Islanders watches Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets as he skates with the puck during the third period at Barclays Center on February 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Columbus Blue Jackets will likely trade Artemi so they don’t end up looking like the Islanders. After being unable to re-sign John Tavares and not trading him before the deadline, the Islanders let their franchise center walk out the door for nothing in return.

Now they will be looking to prove that they can still compete in the tough Metro Division. Newly hired GM Lou Lamoriello will look to make a splash after he lost Tavares to Toronto. Panarin would be one heck of a splash.

New York has plenty of cap space this year as well as six expiring forward contracts that total $19,450,000 coming of the books at the end of this year. That will ensure that they can sign Panarin long term and Artemi gets to play in a bigger, more metropolitan market.

The Islanders also have a some assets they can deal. Josh Bailey could be a player involved in a deal for Panarin that gives the Jackets a top six forward which they certainly be looking for. Bailey had 71 points in 77 games last year for the Islanders. They have had two impressive drafts in a row as well and have stocked some top-tier prospects.

There is cap space, assets that both franchises value, and an impetus to make a deal. The Islanders are a realistic landing spot for Panarin.

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