On the Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin …
George Richards of the Columbus Dispatch: Elliotte Friedman reported yesterday that “at this time” Artemi Panarin is not interested in talking contract extension with the Blue Jackets. Friedman added that they will see what Panarin’s trade value is.
Panarin’s agent, Dan Milstein, said it wasn’t the right time to comment.
Statement from GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
“Artemi is an elite National Hockey League player,” Kekalainen said in an official statement in response to the report. “Our position has been that we want him to be a Blue Jacket for many years and that has not changed.
“He has one more year left on his contract, so there is plenty of time to work toward that end. Should anything change, we will address it at that time an any decision we make will be in the best interest of our club.”
Back in April when the Blue Jackets season had ended, Panarin was asked about his contract.
“I was not trying to think about it because it was playoff time,” he said. “During the summer, I’ll have time to think about it.”
Panarin has a year left on his contract. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also has a year left on his deal.
This offseason they have pending UFAs in Ian Cole, Jack Johnson, Matt Calvert, Thomas Vanek and Mark Letestu, and pending RFAs in Oliver Bjorkstrand, Ryan Murray and Boone Jenner.
Brian Hedger of NHL.com: Artemi Panarin has another year left on his contract at a $6 million salary hit. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent after next season.
After the season Panarin was asked about his first season in Columbus.
“I’m very happy that I’m here,” he said through a translator. “Very good team. Nice people, watching hockey. The organization is amazing.”
Panarin became friends with Sergei Bobrovsky, who is in the same contract situation. Bobrovsky was also asked after the season about his contract situation.
“It’s tough to about those things right now,” Bobrovsky said. “We just had the tough loss and the tough loss in the series. He is a great player and I think for the organization it’s great to keep him here. So, we’ll see what’s going to happen. Same thing . We’ll see what’s going to happen. Long summer ahead of us. Let’s see what gonna happen.”
Brian Hedger of NHL.com: John Davidson on the upcoming draft and if there could be any movement with their pick.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Davidson said. “It’s going to be fun. Right now, I think, more than anything else, since we’re real close to the draft, this is huge for us. There’s some good players in this draft … Can we move from our pick to get somebody we really want, at what cost, or do we move back and still get somebody we thought we were going to get at our pick and then maybe pick up a couple more picks down the road? So, it’s fun. It’s a real interesting time. The phones burn up and you’ve got to be sharp and quick, and that’s one of Jarmo’s very strong strengths.”
Davidson on pending UFA defenseman Ian Cole
“We’d love to retain Ian,” Davidson said. “He’s a good man, but it’s got to fit. Now, it’s up to Ian. Does Ian want to come back here and sign on the dotted line and be happy or does he want to take a look at the July 1 marketplace and see what’s out there, and maybe get a longer term, maybe more money, but maybe not as good a place to play? He’s got to weigh all that stuff.”
