Panarin excited for opportunity
A trip to a remote location to go fishing couldn’t have come at a better time for Artemi Panarin. It was late June, and the Chicago left wing received a phone call telling him that he had been a key part in a multi-player deal between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
It took some time to come to grips with the situation.
“I wasn’t ready initially,” he said through his agent and interpreter, Dan Milstein, Wednesday morning at an introductory news conference with the Blue Jackets. “When I learned the news, the very next day I realized this team was a great opportunity for me to open up and to become a better player.
“Everything was great (on the fishing trip) up until I turned on my phone, and then I turned it off the very next day and things were better again.”
Any initial reservations about the move appeared to have passed as Panarin, flanked by Milstein and Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, showcased a wry sense of humor along with a pleasant smile that belied any language barrier.
It’s a big part of the reason Kekalainen said Panarin will be an asset to the club aside from his on-ice numbers, which include 61 goals and 90 assists in two seasons with the Blackhawks.
“When we do our evaluations of players, it’s not just on the ice,” Kekalainen said. “That’s what we’ve gathered, that he’s a positive guy and a good teammate to be around and a good character guy.”
Panarin said he has spoken with fellow Russian Sergei Bobrovsky, the only player he knows on the roster, and that the goalie called him shortly after the trade. They talked about the team and also, briefly, about jersey numbers. In Chicago, Panarin wore No. 72.
“I brought my boxing gloves and it will be decided later,” Panarin said. Then, after pausing for the laughter that ensued, he added, “There were no options with two Vezina trophies. No chance.”
Now wearing No. 9, Panarin sees bright things ahead with the Blue Jackets.
“I feel like with this team, I will be able to progress as a player and help the team win many trophies,” he said. “I’m going to bring lots of smiles and moments for the fans and lots of goals as well.”
Slap shots
With camp slated to start Sept. 15, Kekalainen said negotiations continue with restricted free agents Josh Anderson and Alexander Wennberg, but he wouldn’t provide further details.
“I’m confident that they’ll be done and confident they’ll be here for the start of training camp,” he said.
Kekalainen said he expected Brandon Dubinsky to be ready for the start of the season after undergoing wrist surgery on May 29 but not necessarily for the start of camp.