Kevo22363
Registered User
Matteau...Matteau...Stephan Matteau... Sorry, just had a 1994 New York Rangers flashback.
Artemi Panarin minced no words and finally admitted what we all assumed: He was really upset when the Blackhawks traded him to Columbus during the 2017 off-season.
"When I played here in Chicago I (thought) I would play here my whole life," Panarin said after scoring his 30th goal of the season during a 6-3 Rangers victory over the Hawks Wednesday at the United Center. "And then that happened. It still confuse(s) me."
It was during that second season when Panarin agreed to a modest two-year, $12 million contract. He signed it to give the cap-strapped Hawks flexibility going forward.
"Chicago's pressed against the salary cap," Panarin told former agent Dan Milstein. "I don't want to be that guy. I want to play on a winning team.
"Give them the flexibility so they can retain the guys or sign the new guys because it's not about me. I'm young. I'm going to make plenty of money in my future."
Panarin's price for that loyalty was a one-way ticket to Columbus in exchange for Brandon Saad and goalie Anton Forsberg. It was a deal that incensed Patrick Kane, who had become fast friends with the talented, affable and joking Panarin.
Said Panarin: "I was not ready for that. It was a big surprise for me. I feel bad after trade."
"I love Chicago," Panarin said when asked if he still misses it. "Nice every time I come here. Enjoy it. It's a great city and thanks (to) the fans for a warm welcome. I appreciate it."
Certainly didn’t pull a Carter
Exactly. And if you told someone that a hockey player sulked and pouted his way out of a place he was traded to and that it was the good old boy Canadian instead of the Russian, they wouldn't have believed you.
Josh Anderson trade?
I think bizarre is the only way I can describe the Josh Anderson situation in Columbus.
He has one goal this year in a 26-game season hampered by a shoulder injury that might have actually ended his season. Although the team is not confirming that at this point.
TSN colleague Darren Dreger tweeted on Thursday that Anderson’s season was likely over and that the shoulder may require surgical repair.
Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen declined to comment when reached on Thursday.
Consider that the team announced back in mid-December, when Anderson went down with the injury, that he’d be out likely four-to-six weeks.
It’s been more than two months. And he may not play again this season.
Strange, yes. And I can only deduce is that there’s been a difference of opinion between the players’ camp and the team on how to proceed in terms of the injury and recovery.
All of which suggests this is likely headed to an offseason divorce. He’s RFA this summer but will be one year away from UFA status. Therefore, it makes no sense for the Blue Jackets to allow an arbitration award to walk Anderson right to July 1, 2021, and get nothing in return for him.
Either everyone gets on the same page here, which I guess is still possible, and the player signs a deal for at least a few years to remain on board in Columbus, or the Jackets have to do some asset management this summer and trade him while they can still recoup value. I’m betting on the latter.
LeBrun's assessment makes total sense to me.
For any cord cutters. I had been strongly considering switching to YouTube tv but I guess not now.
Absolutely sucks, I’ve tried almost all of the streaming services and YTTV has been the best by far. Sling sucks, ATT Now is too expensive, PSVue is defunct, I guess Hulu is out there but I didn’t love the free trial.
For any cord cutters. I had been strongly considering switching to YouTube tv but I guess not now.
Lucky!My next YTTV bill was due next week so at least I lucked out there. Otherwise I'm bummed about having to change streaming services only four months in.
Going to hurt our team a lot. Good thing they are so young, they will only improve!