Gino Reda is joined by TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun, Chris Johnston, and Darren Dreger to discuss who the possible suitors are for Artemi Panarin’s services, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ plans heading into the Olympic break, and the status of the rink at The Winter Olympics in Italy on Insider Trading.
Gino Reda: Artemi Panarin knows he’s not in the New York Rangers’ plans, so his camp has asked for, and received, permission to go out and find a team that’s willing to go out and sign him to an extension and not just a short-term rental of a deal.
So, what’s the most likely landing spot?
Pierre LeBrun: It most likely involves teams that aren’t scared of signing a 34-year-old player to a four-year extension with, perhaps, a double-digit average annual salary. That’s what we think the extension would be if this gets done.
A team that is not scared are the Washington Capitals.
Our understanding is that the Capitals have had discussions and they’re interested in Panarin. They want to add a scoring winger, and the extension is actually important to them because they may not make the playoffs this year. So, this would be just as much an off-season move for them as it would be an in-season move.
As for other teams, all three California teams have discussed Panarin. San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has a close relationship with Rangers GM Chris Drury, so it would be no surprise if they’ve had discussions. They also have ample cap room; they just traded for Kiefer Sherwood and extended Alexander Wennberg. San Jose has a different window.
The Los Angeles Kings have had discussions because they need offence, big time. It makes sense, except they really need a centre this off-season rather than a winger with the retirement of Anze Kopitar at the end of the season. They’re staying in it right now, but I don’t know how serious they are about Panarin.
In Anaheim, there’s a connection between Panarin and head coach Joel Quenneville from their time with the Chicago Blackhawks. But I’m told, if the extension is paramount, the Ducks are out right now. They don’t want to sign that kind of money to a veteran player when they have young core pieces to sign.
But let’s not forget the Carolina Hurricanes. They’d love to be in this kind of thing.
Chris Johnston: They’ve been thirsting after superstar level talent for some time now. I think it’s smart given where they’re at and how competitive they are. They’re trying to get another piece or two to push themselves over the top.
Look, it’s a fool’s errand to say which of these teams are going to get him at this stage. It’s a difficult thing to read with Panarin controlling the circumstances. But when you look at the Hurricanes, they do check a lot of the boxes in terms of having the space they need to sign him to that type of deal, having interest in the player, liking what he can bring to their lineup, and then getting in on yet another superstar.
I can tell you this, if he doesn’t end up with the Hurricanes, we’re going to be connecting them to the next big name out there before the trade deadline on March 6 as well.
Darren Dreger: I wouldn’t discount the possibility of the Dallas Stars as well. But let’s be clear, the Stars’ interest in Panarin is purely as a rental.
You have to be mindful of the reality that their star player, Jason Robertson, has his deal up at the end of the season. General manager Jim Nill knows that Robertson’s deal will be a costly extension.
So, if Panarin is interested in a rental option, then you look at the Stars. Otherwise, the Stars will look elsewhere for a pending unrestricted free agent top nine forward and we know that there are a number of players that comfortably fit in that category.
Reda: Guys, a year ago the Toronto Maple Leafs were just a point out of first place in their division and now they’re toiling in last place in the Atlantic.
Are we wondering if it’s time to write off the season yet?
Dreger: Well, it’s time because they’re in the midst of a brutal stretch and that’s why we all continue to talk about it.
But I can tell you that GM Brad Treliving, head coach Craig Berube, and the Maple Leafs are not quite ready to throw in the towel yet.
Yes, they’re coming off an ugly stretch of hockey, and they have an important road trip in front of them now. Treliving has to look beyond this road trip and the scenario that could see Toronto kick into sell mode.
That includes finding out what the market looks like for some of his pending unrestricted free agents. Players like Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Troy Stecher, and Calle Jarnkrok. He has to balance and compare that with what extending some of those pieces might look like as well.
Reda: The Olympic hockey tournament is set to being in one week with the women’s tournament.
Is the rink going to be ready by then?
Johnston: I wasn’t sure three weeks ago, but I’m far more confident that I can bring you good news today.
Certainly, talking to people on the ground in Milan, Italy, the feeling is the last few weeks the Santagiulia Arena has seen all kinds of progress.
Things like behind the scenes in the dressing room areas, which were far from complete earlier this month. Already now it’s looking good.
Team Canada is starting to move into its area in terms of getting ready. When you see the rink itself, it’s improved greatly with the ice. It has some of the markings on there and it’s ready for the tournament.
That is important because as you mentioned, the women start next Wednesday. The NHL players fly over on Feb. 8, and the men’s tournament starts on Feb. 11. So, it’s all happening very quickly here.
Reda: The rink was supposed to seat 14,000 fans but the IIHF says it’s going to be closer to 11,800. If Canada faces the United States in the gold-medal final, how would you like to be the guy telling over 2,000 people that their seat doesn’t exist.
