On the Columbus Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: The Blue Jackets have received plenty of trade offers for Artemi Panarin. GM Jarmo Kekalainen may be hoping that Panarin changes his mind and wants to sign an extension. Panarin’s agent has said there is no official list of preferred destinations.
If the Blue Jackets do trade Panarin, they’ll want a trade that will help them now, maybe one or two established players. A contract extension would likely have to be part of any “today” type trade.
As of early this week, trade offers have only been for draft picks and prospects.
Chris Nichols of FRS Hockey: Elliotte Friedman was on the NHL Network talking about the Columbus Blue Jackets situation with Artemi Panarin. Friedman believes Panarin would like to play in Los Angeles, New York (Rangers or Islanders), or Florida (not sure if Panthers and/or Lightning).
“I do think this, I think one of the biggest questions the Columbus Blue Jackets want to answer is, ‘Do we keep him and go for it.’ Sergei Bobrovsky is a free agent after next year.
“I just wonder: Jarmo Kekalainen and their front office is also headed into the last year of their deals. Jarmo is bold – that guy is not afraid. I wonder if the Blue Jackets look at Washington, which finally got over the hump and climbed the mountain, and say, ‘That could be us next year.’”
Friedman adds that he would consider going for it. The Blue Jackets won’t be afraid of making him a big offer.