No, we're not going to sign Panarin because he gets in the way of us landing our own home grown star* and likely won't be worth the money he will get paid halfway through his deal.
Not all elite guys age the same. He may age well, but most guys don't. Brad Richards had a pair of PPG+ seasons prior to signing here, his game started to slip by year 2 (yes he was older, but again that would fall within the 4 year window for Panarin)
Using his lack of PP production in favor of him is hilarious though. Yes I'd rather have a strong 5v5 scorer, but PP production does matter. It's the same thing people said about Rick Nash (Who we also got at 28, was also seen as elite, who saw his game dip by..)
Kravstov hasn't played a single shift in this league. I'm optimistic about him, but he isn't going to step in and rip it up right away. It's most likely going to take a few seasons.
*Again, if they win the lottery, this is worth revisiting. Even then, if everyone who is a pending UFA makes it to July 1st, the Dollars will be better spent on Karlsson than Panarin, even with all the risks involved.
I actually see Panarin on the level of someone like Kessel. Great talent, fantastic player to have if you've already got Malkin and Crosby. Try to get him to lead a group? You saw what happened with the Leafs.
Lets not become the Leafs before they got smart.