Looks like Vinny Viola, part of the team that owned 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, is the front runner in the NHL free agent market.
Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky seem to be the key players the Panthers can get, the best free-agent forward and goalie available this year.
The Panthers recently traded goalie James Reimer to Carolina for goalie Scott Darling and immediately bought out Darling’s contract.
That temporarily leaves the Panthers without a goalie until they can sign newly turned free agents.
The big winners, the Florida Panthers. The big losers, The NY Islanders, the only other team rumored to still be in the running for the pair of superstars.
UPDATE:
Artemi Panarin agreed to terms with the New York Rangers and financial terms were not released.
Sergei Bobrovsky’s seven-year deal with Florida carries a $10M AAV.
Without Panarin and his big hit to Florida’s salary cap, there’s plenty of money for other signings. Former Lightning defenseman, Anton Stralman, signed a three-year contract with the Florida Panthers and financial terms were not released.
Islanders resign Captain, Anders Lee, to a $7 million 7-year deal, let go of Jennings/Masterton goalie, Robin Lehner, and are looking to sign goalie Semyon Varlamov. Lehner got a one year, $5 million deal in Chicago.
Total save percentage over the last four seasons: Robin Lehner .920 (179 games) Semyon Varlamov .911 (124 games)
Islanders sign former Avalanche goalie, Semyon Varlamov, to a four-year deal. No financial terms were immediately available.
