Panarin did an interview recently in Russia and brought the Hawks up a couple times. Now this is all going off of google translate and some posts from HF Jackets Panarin thread, so bare with me if this is not totally correct.
He mentioned that the Hawks had an interpreter ready for him more often after games than with Columbus and that he liked how the Hawks always had him covered in those situations. He also mentioned that he has grown to like megalopolis (big cities) over the last year and that in Chicago, he'd have children recognize him in the city. In Columbus, however, he can pass hundreds of kids without them recognizing him and he seems annoyed by how much more publicity college football gets out there.
Both comments bode well for our chances at getting him back next year. He likes the amount of attention that he had in Chicago. He could maybe get that in New York, but other destinations like Florida or even California might not give him that same level of notoriety.
And his comment about the interpreter is also good news. He knows that Columbus doesn't do a good enough job at that. Who knows if other teams will be more like the Jackets in that regard. With the Hawks, he knew there'd be someone available for him anytime he wanted to talk to the media. It's a safer thing to go with the team you know will help with the language barrier, then a team you simple hope will be as good.