SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH ... PANARIN Artemi
Rangers winger Artemi Panarin takes a shot at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Q: What would you say to the coaches who thought — at 5-foot-10 and now 168 pounds — you were too small to play? A: I don’t want to say anything negative. It was a different time and a different hockey, and those coaches, not all but many, were coming from a different time and couldn’t see the future and how hockey would evolve to value skilled, thinking players. But now I can call on the next generation of coaches and say to them that you can always bulk up the muscle, but developing the mind is a different challenge. Q: Being from Russia, how difficult has the language barrier been for you? How many English words do you know? Can you order off a menu? A: It’s not that easy, let’s say, but probably because of my personality. I know English is important, but hockey takes priority during the season where we play every other day. I prepare for each game and don’t focus on learning the language on the off days. I want to enjoy a film or read an article, clear my head so I can focus for the game next day and have a good performance. And in the summer during offseason, I think few people would choose to study rather than enjoy their vacation, and I am no exception. After about a month off I start training, plus there are things that need to be taken care of at home and travel. But when I’m at a party with the guys, I speak perfect English! Of course, I can order off a menu. I’m not that much of an ox! Q: What makes Igor Shesterkin a good goaltender? A: He lets in very few pucks. Q: What impresses you about Kaapo Kakko’s game? A: Skilled young player with great potential and good shot. Q: What impresses you about Chris Kreider’s game? A: Great speed. Great acceleration. Good shot. Good play in the crease. He does a great job of taking away goalie’s eyes. Takes away pucks and great defensive player. Q: What impresses you about Mika Zibanejad’s game? A: Great all-around player with speed, skill, hockey IQ and everything else. I’m very glad he is part of our team and is a huge part of the team. Q: What are your impressions of coach David Quinn? A: I don’t want to get in between father-son relationship, so it’s best to ask Mika about Coach Quinn. But all jokes aside, he’s a great coach on and off ice.
Q: Superstitions? A: I don’t have many, and I don’t really believe in the superstitions. But when I lived with Grandma and Grandpa, I saw how they dealt with those. For example, if we left home and had to return to get something we forgot — this was considered a bad omen. And since I’ve lived with it for so long, it’s tough for me to change. If I forget something and have to come back, I understand it’s silly, but at the same time it doesn’t take much to take a look at the mirror. Just in case. Q: Who were your boyhood idols, and why were they your boyhood idols? A: I don’t have many boyhood idols, only one comes to mind. Not many because we didn’t have a TV for a long time and then my interests were different — I preferred to play outside, play soccer and other games, instead of watching somebody on TV. Later I enjoyed watching Pavel Datsyuk play. First of all, as a person, he was someone I looked up to for some time, and also as a player. I liked his game because it’s very creative, always different and exciting. I much prefer these types of players to the more predictable less creative players.
Q: Why does your grandfather Vladimir mean so much to you? A: My grandfather played a huge part in my life. You could say he gave me the ticket to life, because of him I was able to make it in hockey and earn a living, have a warm place and a good meal. This is all because of him. Through many challenges, he continued to drive me to practice despite lack of money or exhaustion. He was a grown man and worked nights, yet he drove me to practice in the mornings. I am very grateful to him and to all my family. He played a huge part in my life. Q: Who are your favorite players to watch? A: Nikita Kucherov. During the season I don’t watch a lot of hockey. I’ll check out highlights: goals and assists, but rarely watch games. Patrick Kane and Evgeny Kuznetsov — great player. But again, during the season I don’t have a lot of time to watch since we have games every other day.
Q: Why do you miss Patrick Kane? A: Because we had a great time together and we played exhilarating hockey. For me it’s very important to show thrilling hockey. That’s what we did and I enjoyed it. I only have good memories from my time in Chicago and with Patrick. Q: Who first called you the “Bread Man” and how do you feel about the nickname? A: Joel Quenneville [former Blackhawks coach] came up with it first. The guys picked it up and the nickname stuck. I like it, I think it’s good-natured. Q: Describe your worst hockey moment so far. A: Worst moment was probably when I first made the KHL team and went on the ice. During my first shift, the other team scored because of my play. I thought it was the end of my career and that hockey isn’t for me. Had there been a side exit off the ice, not requiring going by the bench, I would have left the arena. But when I got to the bench, [coach] Sergei Gomolyako told me to adjust from kids hockey already and didn’t put a lot of pressure on me. Later in the same game I had a primary assist and everything went much better. But in that moment when we let the goal in, I thought that was the end of hockey for me. Q: Why did you sign with the Rangers? A: I liked Rangers for a long time. I don’t know, I’ve talked about this before, I just felt it in my heart and I’m the type of person who wouldn’t go against his heart and intuition because of money or something else. I made a decision from the heart, but also the terms, let’s just say, weren’t bad. Q: What do you like best about this Rangers team? If you make the playoffs, can the Rangers be a dangerous team? A: Yes, 100 percent the Rangers can be a dangerous team! We have a great team. A lot of guys with advanced hockey IQ , which is very important in today’s game. We have a good organization, good coaching staff and just an excellent camaraderie within the team without some rotten issues. We’re all honest and open with each other and, I think, it’s very important in challenging for the Cup. Q: How did you become so good in table tennis? Are you the best player on the team? A: I don’t think I’m the best player on the team. I think the Swedes are the best, but I’m not far behind! I learned to play when I lived in the boarding school. We had table tennis and played to pass time. Q: What do you like best about New York and playing at the Garden? A: I like the huge number of people in New York, and at the same time I have a house in Greenwich, so I can find balance. I can spend time downtown Manhattan with all the restaurants and whatever else you might want, and then I can stay in the suburbs and enjoy relative quiet. This balance is great for me . ... I like everything about MSG. I like people that come to hockey games, I like the atmosphere and the energy. Everything is great! Q: What do you hope Rangers fans say about you? A: From what I understand, it’s not too bad. I get many direct messages, see many signs. It’s great to see homemade signs in the stands that are addressed to me. Huge thank you to all the fans for support! I’m glad that now I am one family with these people.