Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin is one of the more talented forwards in the NHL and every other team in the league would like to own his services. For a while this off-season, it seemed highly likely that he would indeed move to another club, after rejecting an initial extension offer from the Blue Jackets. Panarin also set an ultimatum for further contract negotiations – a date that passed last week – before which many expected either a new deal or a trade. Yet, neither has come and GM Jarmo Kekalainen has expressed that he never took Panarin’s deadline into account and planned on working through negotiations all the way until July 1st, when the scoring winger will become an unrestricted free agent. That sentiment would seem to indicate that Kekalainen has no plans to trade Panarin this season.
Not so fast. On TSN’s “Insider Trading”, Darren Dreger reported that Kekalainen continues to field many trade calls for the talented forward. Despite teams currently focused on training camp and getting their opening night rosters set and ready to go, interest has not dropped off in acquiring Panarin. The Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and more have been linked to Panarin this summer and it is easy to imagine that all of those teams and other dark horse candidates continue to keep an eye on his status. Landing a player of Panarin’s caliber, especially with an extension attached, could be a franchise-altering move.
Nevertheless, Dreger adds that Kekalainen is not interested in trading Panarin – though time may eventually force his hand – and right now says “his principle point of interest is trying to convince him to re-sign.” It doesn’t sound as though Panarin’s mind has changed at all and it has been all quiet from his camp for some time. Perhaps he will be convinced to stay in Columbus over another successful campaign or perhaps Kekalainen will get a godfather offer too good to refuse. One way or another, the continued trade interest and extension determination from Columbus make it overwhelmingly likely that one of these two outcomes will occur, rather than Panarin walking away at the end of the year.
Panarins AAV on his next contract should start with 9 for what the market has been set at. A 3rd team will probably have to get involved to get a deal done with some of these rumored suitors
I read the Bruins didn’t like the asking price from Columbus. I’m not sure how the other teams felt about the asking price
I’m sure it’s just lip service from Sweeney. The Bruins need him on that second line and the Bruins have the farm system to make it happen. Will be interesting
I don’t think it was lip service from Sweeney. If the asking price was players from the farm system, he would’ve been happy. The rumored asking price was Debrusk, one of Donato or Carlo, a #1 & a #2 or #3. The article I read said that DeBrusk is a non-starter. I’m a Bruins fan & I’m okay not having Panarin on the 2nd line. I have confidence in Donato & Bjork to fill that role. I’m more concerned about the 3rd line center. The Bruins lost Riley Nash & really didn’t replace him.
If I were a Bruins manager or fan, I wouldnt let Donato or Debrusk go. Both appear to be really good players in the future. Possibly studs as soon as this season.
Panarin is not a 2nd line player. If you think you can acquire a top 10 player in the game for 2nd line return you dont have a shot at acquiring him.
By comparison for you Bruin fans, he has more points in his last 3 seasons than Marchand.
Would you let Marchand go for 2nd line player return?
And before you say Marchand bring other intangibles… he also brings some negative with his antics. I would gladly take either of these players into my team. But they would both cost HUGE sums. They are both 1st line all world players.
Honestly, I’d rather have Debrusk, Donato & Carlo than Panarin. Why weaken your depth for one player? Yes, Panarin is a great player, but he isn’t so good that he makes up for losing those players. If the Bruins trade DeBrusk in a deal for Panarin, they’ve solved nothing. They got one winger to play with Krejci, but traded away another. I’ll take my chances with DeBrusk & Donato developing. Stick with the plan & let the kids play. No need to mortgage the future for Panarin.
Not to mention that I wouldn’t pay Panarin between 8 & 9 million a season. The Bruins have a lot of guys who need new contracts in the next two years. They need the cap space to re-sign those guys. It is also hard to justify paying him significantly more than Bergeron, Marchand & Pastrnak (three players you developed). Let Panarin go to the Rangers where he wants to play anyway.
You talk like he outscored Marchant by a lot? 3 more points and Marchant played 18 less games.
The pluses for Marchant over Panarin is his penalty killing and look at their +/- last 3 years Panarin = +49, Marchant = +64.
Would have to move money out if they want to extend him
I think Panarin is a very good player, but I would not trade DeBrusk, Donato Or Carlo for him let alone high pics extra.
What did Karlsson just go for? Nowhere ss much. None of the players Ott got come close to any single player mentioned from the bruins.