"He's a dangerous guy."
That's how Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella described Artemi Panarin following Saturday's final preseason game in Pittsburgh. For the third time in exhibition action, Tortorella had used Panarin with Alexander Wennberg and Cam Atkinson, a trio that figures to remain intact for Friday's season opener at Nationwide Arena.
Coach and player have only been acquaintances for a couple of months and are still getting to know one another, but Tortorella has indicated that Panarin has shown more than he initially expected.
A two-time 70-point scorer and Calder Trophy winner with only two NHL seasons under his belt, Panarin managed to become an impact player with the Chicago Blackhawks in no time. The Blue Jackets will be giving him an expanded role and also the leading role on their power play, where he saw plenty of time on Saturday. The Pittsburgh Penguins weren't surprised; they had a penalty killer shadowing Panarin and doing whatever possible to take away his lethal one-timer.
But, as he has so often done, Panarin found a way to get free.
Tortorella wants to be mindful of getting caught up in the No. 1 line's puck movement, which was dizzying at times on Saturday. Eventually, someone needs to shoot the puck, and he said Cam Atkinson needed a quick reminder that he scored 35 goals last year. Panarin and Atkinson figure to get plenty of opportunities from Wennberg, who is always happy to look for one of his line mates.
Responsibility is nothing new to Panarin, but there will be added attention on him following his move to Columbus. He's on the No. 1 line, is arguably their top offensive option, and will be the focal point of their power play (which could be good news for Zach Werenski and Nick Foligno, who did plenty of power play damage last season).
And as long as he does what he's done the last two seasons -- beginning with shooting the puck often -- the Blue Jackets will take full advantage of a player in Panarin who is unlike any they've had previously.
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