Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
It will be interesting to see this play out, but it could very well be Panarin asking for a trade, without actually asking for a trade. To say he will only talk about an extension in the Fall makes me believe this is a ploy to move on.
I would bet that if a team that Panarin prefers expresses interest, he would probably end up negotiating an extension. This will effectively provide him with a NTC to some effect. It I am reading this right, then that is a pretty smart (though underhanded) move on his part. There may be another reason for not negotiating an extension with Columbus, so who really knows. Until more gets leaked out, we don't really have any idea other than simply guessing.
I would love him on the Flames, and without question he is the most talented player available this offseason thus far. I am not sure it would take draft picks to get him either, as Columbus is in a 'win-now' mode...
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I am betting this is precisely how things will play out: CBJ will float trade offers and will ultimately move him to a team with an extension in place, effectively giving him the (limited) choice of his next destination. This is the only way the Blue Jackets recoup a decent return on the player—otherwise, there is simply no sense in trading him.
Artemi Panarin chose his destination when he arrived in the NHL. It seems abundantly clear that that choice is a priority for him. I do wonder if the Flames might be able to get themselves into this conversation, since they were reportedly one of the four teams (along with Chicago, Toronto, Pittsburgh) who were negotiating with Panarin to make the move from the KHL to the NHL in the first place. That familiarity and the Flames's cap situation may play into their favour.