Goal-scoring from top-six forwards is an essential piece to an NHL team';s
success, and it tends to separate premier clubs from the rest of the league as
the season progresses. And with the Vegas Golden Knights losing right winger
James Neal to the Calgary Flames in free agency, this leaves a hole in the
depth chart up front. The 30-year old forward was a mainstay on the second line
 and notched 25 goals last season, fourth-most on the team, while also adding
six goals in the postseason.

How should Vegas fill the void? Enter Artemi Panarin, a consistent 25 to
30-goal scorer who is only 26 years old and has one year left on his contract
with the Columbus Blue Jackets.What Panarin Brings to Vegas

Ever since he entered the league in 2015-16, the Blue Jackets forward has been
a consistent goal scoring threat. Beginning his career with the Chicago
Blackhawks, Panarin burst onto the scene as a rookie with 30 goals and 77
points in 80 games played, as both his goals and points totals were second on
the team. His first-year success came full circle when he was awarded the
Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year.

From there, the 26-year old from Korkino, Russia recorded 31 goals in his
sophomore campaign, which was once again second-highest on the Blackhawks.
Panarin was then traded on June 23, 2017 to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he
 would quickly assert himself as the top-flight scoring option in Ohio';s
capital city. The left winger led the Blue Jackets in goals scored with 27,
while also registering a team-high 82 points in his first test as a team';s
premier scoring option.Panarin has recorded at least 25 goals in each of his
first three seasons. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

One of his most notable performances came on Mar. 20 when he racked up three
goals and an assist in a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Panarin';s
hat-trick performance was a full force performance of his goal-scoring and
playmaking prowess, two attributes that helped Columbus earn a playoff spot as
the Eastern Conference';s top wild-card team.

Throughout his three-year career, the 5-foot-11 forward has proven he can
significantly contribute on offense as both a primary and secondary scoring
option. He was surrounded by the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in
Chicago, with the latter being one of the NHL';s elite scorers. Panarin';s
ability to insert himself into a stacked lineup and excel was an impressive
feat that only a fraction of young players can do.

In Columbus, he was relied upon to be the Blue Jackets principal scoring
option, and both the numbers and on-ice performance suggested he rose to the
occasion. His smooth transition from a high-level supporting scorer to the
primary offensive option speaks volumes to his skill set and ability to play in
 different roles.Fitting in with Vegas

If Vegas considered acquiring him, Panarin could slide seamlessly into either
the first or second unit. The Golden Knights already have a pair of solid
goal-scorers on the top line with William Karlsson (43) and Jonathan
Marchessault (27). If either of the two were to see a decline in production in
2018-19, Panarin could easily climb up to line one and bring a consistent
scoring touch to the trio.Panarin';s two-year contract he signed with Chicago
in 2016 expires at the end of next season. (Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports)

However, Panarin';s presence would be most necessary and effective on the
second line. The departure of Neal is significant for Vegas, as he was
essentially a lock for 25 to 30 goals on the second unit. Inserting the
Russian-born forward into Neal';s old position would not only bring a
rocket-esque wrist shot to that line, but it would also be a bonus upgrade in
the passing department.

Last season, Panarin notched a team-leading 55 assists, which would be a
sizable boost from Neal';s 19 helpers. The three-year veteran would add an
electric playmaking ability to a line that will most likely feature Erik Haula
and Alex Tuch, who scored 29 and 15 goals, respectively.The Contract Situation
in Columbus

The 2018-19 campaign will be a contract season for Panarin, so there is no
doubt he will be in-line for a solid payday. However, questions about his
long-term future in Columbus have continued to arise. In an interview with The
Athletic';s Aaron Portzline, Panarin';s agent Dan Milstein said his client
might be apprehensive about locking in a long-term deal with the Blue Jackets.

"It';s about, does he want to spend the next eight years in Columbus," Milstein
 said in the interview. "That';s the only thing at stake right now. If it was a
 two-year deal we probably would have done it. But it isn';t a two-deal. It';s
[going to] have to be an extended, seven- or eight-year deal put in place."

This is where the Golden Knights could swoop in. Murkiness surrounding his stay
 with the Blue Jackets should entice Vegas to put together a trade package for
Panarin, which should enhance the already special Golden Knights offense.The
Trade Package

There is no doubt that Vegas'; stunning inaugural season put some
less-recognizable players into the spotlight as rising stars, and these players
 may become potential trade bait as well. Two names that could be valuable
assets in a trade are Haula and Derek Engelland, with the latter also entering
a contract season.

The Blue Jackets would be receiving a 55-point, 29-goal scorer in Haula who
would add more depth to an already quality centre position for the Blue
Jackets. This would most likely cement new Golden Knight Paul Stasny as the
second-line centre. Engelland would be a solid addition to a Columbus defense
core that already features Seth Jones, Zach Werenski and Ryan Murray.
Furthermore, the cap hit on Haula and Engelland would be $925,000 and $1.5
million respectively for Columbus. Golden Knights defenseman Derek Engelland
notched 5 goals and 18 assists in his lone season with Vegas. (Kirby Lee/USA
TODAY Sports)

The Golden Knights would be obtaining Panarin';s $6 million cap hit for
2018-19, which is fairly reasonable for a forward that could easily hover
around the 30-goal, 80-point range.

If the Golden Knights can repeat their first-season magic in year two, then
adding Panarin to Vegas'; electric attack could possibly implement them as the
NHL';s premier offense and a clear-cut Stanley Cup contender in the Western
Conference.

The post The Golden Knights Must Acquire Artemi Panarin appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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