The New York Rangers will be without their highest-paid player indefinitely after Artemi Panarin announced he will take a leave of absence today. The move comes following a report originating from former KHL coach Andrei Nazarov, alleging that Panarin beat up an 18-year-old girl in 2011. Panarin was playing for Chekhov Vityaz in the KHL at the time, which was coached by Nazarov, a former NHL winger who has led several different teams in the KHL. Some, including Larry Brooks of the New York Post, have suggested that the report was politically motivated as retribution for Panarin’s previous public support of opposition leader Alexi Navalny.
The Rangers released a statement in support of Panarin:
Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story. This is clearly an intimidation taxtic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events. Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team. The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.
The loss of Panarin will be a huge one for the Rangers, who rely on him to drive the offense every night. The 29-year-old winger has 18 points through his first 14 games this season, logging more than 20 minutes a night. Given it is not clear how long he will be out, the Rangers must find a new way to generate goals and a new player to fill Panarin’s role on the powerplay.
The Rangers have won two straight and find themselves inching back into the East Division playoff picture.
Obviously impossible to know anything without more facts, but…
2011 was a while ago. The motivation for retribution against Navalny supporters is recent. The timing has to be viewed suspiciously.
i mean his coach had ~10 years to say this to the authorities and then waited until a month after Panarin mentions supporting Nalvany? after what’s been going on with him its an odd timing at the best and that’s very unlikely.
Really, you Q lemmings can’t figure out why the flu numbers are down when almost our entire planet has made the prevention of the transmission of communicable diseases it’s top priority, including masking, remote working, shutting down large events, etc.?
You. Are. Right.
The whole world is out to get you. BOO!
This sounds like a hit job by the Russia government media. Ovechkin is pro Putin and has been in the media about this. And the allegations made by the Russian coach who has been Pro Putin as well. Also it sounds like the Russian government has been harassing family members . And you can never tell if Russian government officials have reached out to the Russian community in Brighton Beach New York to put the squeeze on to intimidate
“Common people like yourself?” What are you, royalty? Josh Bell who dare you make an opinionated statement! Keep your comments to yourself you peasant!
Dear for whom his tiny bell tolls,
you need to get your head checked out. Nobody cares about your political feelings and far left ideology. This isn’t about your politics or leftist agenda. Keep politics off this post. Your non stop and it’s getting old and so are you! If you don’t agree with someone else stupid theories move on but you double down with ignorance. Why So angry little man?……
You mispelled Tatsumaki, Billy.
It’s OK. Spelling isn’t “your” strong suit, perhaps. No judgement.
I was talking about the topic at hand when he launched into a conspiracy theory that only people with IQ’s under 80 could believe.
Also, FTR, the study of infectious disease isn’t political, left or right. It’s science. Just FYI.
You really went into left field with this one
Evidently from the New York Post article today the last paragraph stated that members of the Russian embassy in New York may be squeezing him as well
Riddle me this Batman. If that were the case then why are COVID # high and flu low??? In your theory both would be low not just one.
Because Covid is stronger than the flu, which is why it spreads easier and more people die from it.
It’s like asking why a kevlar vest stops a bullet, but not a missle.
News flash. People die from the flu genius
you sound more schizo than the Qs right now. they said nothing to controversial. Thats the problem with the Qs and the Anti Qanons they are both crazy
Josh is the same guy that double masks because the government tells him too. Hope you enjoyed voting for the moron that put 100,000 people out of work in your state and raised gas prices for all Americans by nearly a dollar fifty a gallon. That’s funny because the “Science” doesn’t back you simp.
Americans so stubborndid anyone see how Australia (and countless other countries) curbed covid-19? Following the protocols and returning to life as normal. White people suck, man, and I am one lmfao
Exactly, CR4…
The people who believe in delusional conspiracies fed to them by internet trolls and want to see their fellow Americans publicly executed AND the people who oppose that are equally to blame.
JMartin…
People die from missles. And bullets. But a missle is more deadly than a bullet. It’s easier to stop a bullet than a missle. This is pretty straightforward. Not sure why you think all diseases are equally virulent. They are not.
Tata…
“Should I get my science info from scientists OR should I get it from roofers’ Facebook posts?” -You
I like that you think that literally hundreds of millions of people are involved in a highly coordinated conspiracy…because…YOU. ARE. RIGHT. The whole world is out to get you. The WHOLE world. The only way for you to stop the 5G from stealing your brainwaves is to chew on a toilet brush coated in hydroxychlorquine. Fight the power.
Kevin, they have seen nothing of the sort. They are spoonfed propaganda and then, after regurgitating said propaganda verbatim, they pat themselves on the back for being “free thinkers” which is why 4% of the world’s population has 25% of the deaths. Their stupidity is literally fatal and they are proud of it.
Im sure the Russian political situation is deeper then it’s made out to be, but this is absurd. 2011? If he did something from back then and you didnt say anything about that you’re part of the problem.
Worth noting here that Nazarov has a history of his own physical abuses and making false claims. There’s a number of articles that would be worth linking to in order to give the claims some context.
sounds like a hit piece from a pro dictator coach
If, as Mark Black states above, Nazarov has a history of false allegation…why is Panarin even taking a leave?
I understand that he was personally shaken and a game off might be the best thing, but…
Setting a precedent where even highly suspect allegations take players out of the lineup is not good.
im just glad the team is behind him. if this was the NFL he’s be cut by now (see: DeAndre Baker)
Because there’s some serious political and familial implications to these sorts of allegations. Theres a few factors at work here: Panarin is the most high profile athlete to openly criticize Putin, Nazarov is a Putin loyalist, Panarin still has family in Russia, Putin has a long history of making things difficult on the families of his critics. This isn’t simply just a case of allegations of abuse because those other factors could be in play.
This is why I ignore it when Russian players seemingly support Putin. Ovi and Geno, among others, did this a few years back. Their families still live there. They still have to go back there. You have to respect the choice and the calculation they make based on a bad situation.
But, it makes what Panarin (who has everything and doesn’t need to bring this drama upon himself either) is doing even more impressive.
Holy S**t we might as well go all the way back to the days were the best in the NHL didn’t have a run in with a female…I am not saying Panarin didn’t do anything wrong but 10 years ago…Nazarov go dig a hole in siberia…Donkey u r..
Maybe Panarin will now go undercover and save the world from the pedophile lizard people!
Innocent men don’t run….just ask OJ.
@Dave – He *did* obey the speed limit, didn’t he? :) That situation would have been solved by an AH-64 with an attitude…
The fact that he is taking a leave of absence since more than the allegation. If there were no substance then your call BS and move on. There has to be leverage, but then again l, we are talking Russia.
Such black and white statements aren’t helpful. Perhaps Russian authorities are squeezing his family and he’s going there to be with them. Perhaps to publicly confront the issue or the lie whichever may be true. Fact is you have no idea so Panarin taking a leave of absence doesn’t necessarily make him guilty of anything.
that’s not how it works. not anything less then out and out complete denial isnt an admission of guilt.
I would never allow this on the Mighty Ducks
Andrei Nazarov was a loser when he played in the States. Human garbage.
All hockey fans should know Slava Malamud. Those who do know to trust his takes on both Russia and hockey.
He believes it to be a hit job by Nazarov.