'Tis the season of information.
After Tuesday's news that Artemi Panarin isn't prepared to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets "at this time," the hockey world was ablaze with speculation. Would Jarmo Kekalainen do more than simply test the market, and make a second blockbuster deal at the draft in as many years?
In the days since the news broke, it's been fairly quiet.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who originally reported the Panarin story on Tuesday, followed up Thursday night with a brief update:
Nothing really new on Artemi Panarin. I wonder if Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen — who has big brass ones — goes for it with both Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky in the final seasons of their contracts.
You look at Washington, which won the Cup after finally getting over its playoff hurdle. I can’t help but think of the Blue Jackets, a really good team with the same post-season problem. If I were in his shoes, I’d think long and hard about it.
Is no news good news, then? It depends on your view of the situation. As Matt Souva wrote for 1OB earlier this week – the Blue Jackets' best course of action, unless they can hit a grand slam of a hockey deal, is to hang on to Panarin and try their luck. Panarin-type players don't come around often, and the Blue Jackets should do whatever they can to convince him to stick around.
Should be an interesting weekend and next week, that's for sure.
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