The latest on the Artemi Panarin situation
TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes that it wasn’t easy for Artemi Panarin, and he took the news of the New York Rangers not wanting to extend him pretty hard. Rangers GM Chris Drury met with Panarin a couple of weeks ago and told him they’d work with him and his agent to find a trade. Agent Paul Theofanous has permission to talk to teams.
Some teams are more interested in Panarin without an extension. The Washington Capitals are interested, and it would make sense for them to want an extension. There is the uncertainty of Alex Ovechkin’s playing career beyond this season, so Panarin could be the Ovi replacement.
“My understanding is that the Panarin camp has reached out to all three California teams: Anaheim, L.A., and San Jose. The Ducks, there’s a Joel Quenneville connection from their time together in Chicago. But I’m told the Ducks are out right now. And the reason for that is the extension doesn’t make sense for them, Gino.”
NHL Rumors: Artemi Panarin Would Prefer a Trade to Come with an Extension
The Ducks have some young players that need big extensions, so a Panarin extension doesn’t really make sense. The Sharks have talked to the Rangers, but it’s not known how serious the Sharks are. The Los Angeles Kings have the cap space for an extension, but they need a center more than a winger with Anze Kopitar’s retirement after the season. Don’t get the sense they are pushing hard.
Sources say the Carolina Hurricanes have discussed it, but does Panarin fit their play style, and would owner Tom Dundon really want to spend that much money on Panarin?
Would think that the Florida Panthers are at the top of Panarin’s list, but the math for the Panthers to make it work given their cap situation.
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