New York Islanders: Reaction to every free agency move, including missing out on Panarin

The New York Islanders might not have gotten everything they wanted to start this free agency period, but they still fared pretty well. Here is a reaction to every move so far and what could come next.

It was no secret that the New York Islanders were going to be big players this free agency. To start, they are a team coming off a somewhat deep playoff run, and their needs became very clear, and they know that with just a few more upgrades, they could be right there. It is also no secret that the Islanders were looking at a lot of their own due a new contract and that they wanted to sign now Rangers winger, Artemi Panarin.

However, as fate would have it, the Islanders once again found themselves losing a player who was willing to take less money to play elsewhere. Also, the Islanders found themselves watching their Vezina nominated goaltender sign with the Blackhawks on just a mere one year deal in Robin Lehner.

Losing Lehner was a massive loss, and he was a great story. Losing out on Panarin, arguably the best prize on the market, to the arch-rivals was also an enormous loss. But, all of these moves or non-moves opened the door wide open for the Islanders to keep a bulk of their core together, continuity is essential to Lou Lamoriello, and it appears he has settled for that.

Thankfully as the first day of free agency winds down, the Islanders no longer have to worry about once again losing their captain. Anders Lee might not have gotten the super maxed, eight-year deal, but he is still re-signed and will be an Islander for the next seven years, at a very team friendly $7M per season.

With Lee, plus a few more moves and re-signings I will get into, here is my reaction to every move (or non-move) the Islanders have made so far.