Islanders News: Panarin, Bobrovsky still targeted on Free Agency Eve

Today is the last day of the “listening” window when free agents can talk to teams — without discussing specific terms, honest I swear — before signings can begin on Monday.

You can count on hearing and reading more “source says” and “am hearing” and “signs definitely pointing” all day long about the Islanders and their targeted and departing(?) free agents.

But by the end of the day things will likely start to crystallize. Not all players, but many, will have essentially made their decisions. There will start to be “Andrew Ladd is in town and looking at houses” reports. Those may make tomorrow a formality.

For the time-being, or at least as you woke up, you can count on the Islanders chasing the big fish in Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky (who many still have favored for Florida, in accordance with the mid-season prophecies). And you can count on Anders Lee and Robin Lehner still being unsigned, with a foot out the door.

You can also count on a name you hadn’t thought of. Praise be Bossy that it not be just some such Kuhnhackl.

Islanders Reading

• About that name mentioned just now. So the Islanders re-signed Kuhnhackl and gave him a modest raise, too. [LHH]
• Maybe they also signed some new teammates for him? Four signings for Bridgeport/Worcester. [LHH | BST | Soundin’ Off]
• A year later, free agency may again bring seismic changes to the Isles. [Newsday]
• Scott Cullen goes all-in on his offseason game plan for the Isles. [Scott Cullen]
• Prospect scrimmage notes on Bode Wilde, Oliver Wahlstrom, Linus Soderstrom. [Isles]
• Wilde is aiming for big things as he jumps to the pros. [Isles]
• As they’ve no doubt told Panarin a bunch, the Belmont groundbreaking will happen soon. [News 12 | Newsday]
• Simon Holmstrom impressed with his skill during this week’s camp. [Newsday]

Just for Giggles

Don’t read into this...

Elsewhere

• The Penguins finally found a way to dump Phil Kessel, who was the source of all their problems after being the source of them finally winning the Cup again. [Five for Howling | NHL] Arizona fits because Rick Tocchet knows how he ticks. [NHL]
• Before they found a new toy via trade, the Coyotes spoke of a disciplined approach to free agency. [NHL]
• As you start to see contract numbers firm up, you can compare them to these projections. [Hockey-Graphs]
• Joe Pavelski’s expected departure leaves a big void in San Jose. [Athletic]
• The Leafs signing their two secondary RFAs clears up how much room they have to work with Long Island’s adopted son Mitch Marner. [NHL]
• The Capitals dealt Burakovsky to the Avalanche. [Japers’ Rink]
• The Vegas in-house scribe uses a lot of metaphors to tell you why getting back under the cap is actually a poetic and heroic adventure. [Knights]
• Through their mouthpiece at the Post, the Rangers want you and Panarin to know they will not get into a bidding war, so just sign for the honor of playing for Team Trautwig. [Post]
• New Oilers coach Dave Tippett would like the team to, you know, make some moves in free agency. [NHL]
• Dion Phaneuf and Patrick Marleau are motivated to prove they still got it after suffering buyouts. [Athletic]
• Just another surgery for Yvon Cournoyer. [NHL]