Forward Artemi Panarin will make his Columbus Blue Jackets debut against the New York Islanders on Friday. He was acquired on June 23 in a trade trade that sent forward Brandon Saad back to the Chicago Blackhawks. Panarin, 25, had 151 points (61 goals, 90 assists) the past two seasons with Chicago. He looked comfortable in the preseason as the left wing on the top line with center Alex Wennberg and right wing Cam Atkinson. Panarin could also help a power play that was 12th in the NHL last season at 19.9 percent.
"I like what I see," coach John Tortorella said. "I think the first [power-play] group with Panarin added is going to be better."
Right wing Jordan Eberle, 27, will play his first game with the Islanders after being acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in a trade for forward Ryan Strome on June 22. Eberle has 382 points (165 goals, 217 assists) in 507 NHL games. He's expected to play on the top line with center John Tavares and left wing Anders Lee.
Doug Weight starts his first full season as coach of the Islanders. He replaced Jack Capuano on Jan. 17. The Islanders were 24-12-4 under Weight and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs by one point.