On the Columbus Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: “As of now” Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin doesn’t want to sign a contract extension with the team, and he also hasn’t requested a trade. Panarin would become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
Panarin’s agent Dan Milstein said nothing has changed with regards to Panarin’s situation when the word came out last month.
He isn’t holding out in an attempt to get the most money out of the Blue Jackets, nothing like that has been discussed. It comes down to if he wants to spend the next eight seasons in Columbus.
“That’s the only thing at stake right now. If it was a two-year deal we probably would have done it. But it isn’t a two-year deal. It’s gonna have to be an extended, seven- or eight-year deal put in place.”
Milstein says the list of teams that is out there of where Panarin my want to end up is just speculation and no list has been given to Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
The Blue Jackets have indicated they expect Panarin to be with the team, but Milstein indicates he could be on the move this offseason, but likely only if an extension is discussed.
“Jarmo’s trying to find a trade partner, and if the team wants to know about his long-term plans, Jarmo would have to give (the opposing GM) permission to speak with me. I have not asked (Kekalainen) to speak to any clubs and, certainly, he hasn’t asked me if I would be willing to talk to any clubs. I believe all (30) clubs would love to have him, but I can’t see anybody trading for him without picking up the phone and checking with me first.”
Tom Reed of The Athletic: The Blue Jackets should trade forward Artemi Panarin before the start of training camp unless they are able to convince him to sign a long-term contract extension beforehand.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen should be looking to get the best deal possible for him. believes they should be looking for a high-end prospect (ie. like Panthers Henrik Borgstrom) and a top-six forward.
Panarin’s agent Milstein has said:
“(Panarin) basically said, ‘That’s OK. I just don’t want to (mess with) the team. If I decide not to stay, no one would ever blame me and say I played games (with them) and walked for nothing at the 11th hour,’ ” Milstein said. “ ‘So if they can get something … (But), if they decide to keep me, they should know the risks associated with that.’
Kekalainen should ask Milstein who they’d be open to an extension with and try to maximize the return that way.
The Blue Jackets have spoken with Sergei Bobrosky’s camp about an extension. A Panarin trade could free up more money for Bobrovsky if needed.
