On the Chicago Blackhawks and Artemi Panarin …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: One the Blackhawks priorities this offseason is to sign Artemi Panarin to a long-term extension. Panarin will almost be 26-years old when his contract is up after next season, and he’ll be looking for a long-term deal. A six-year deal might make sense for Panarin so he could capitalize on another contract.
Comparables could be Aleksander Barkov (six-years, $35.4 million), Brandon Saad (six-years, $36 million) and Vladimir Tarasenko (eight-years, $60 million).
A team could offer sheet Panarin, with one source saying he could get $8 million. The Blackhawks won’t want to let teams have that option.
Panarin’s agent and GM Stan Bowman recently held initial discussions. A deal could be done this offseason, with December likely being the latest.
Power’s thinks it could end up being a six-year, $40 million deal.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Rutherford answers 10 questions about the St. Louis Blues.
If the Blues aren’t willing to give the David Backes the money he’s looking for, they could look to re-sign Troy Brouwer, who could also be expensive. A lot of other teams are interested in Brouwer.
If the Blues trade Kevin Shattenkirk, they may not get a player back with a similar salary. If they did get a player back with a ‘higher’ salary (ie. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins), they won’t have the money to potentially re-sign David Backes. Rutherford thinks a Shattenkirk trade would include picks and/or prospects.
A Shattenkirk and Brian Elliott for Nugent-Hopkins and the No. 4 pick has been speculated a lot. Don’t see the Blues wanting to trade one of their goalies, and the Oilers have Tablot signed through 2018-19 at $4.2 million.
Rutherford doesn’t think Jaden Schwartz should get over $6 million a season, don’t think the Blues want to go that high, but it could be close to it.
Rutherford thinks the Blues would welcome Vladimir Sobotka back if he wants to return.