TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston joins Glenn Schiiler to discuss the likelihood that Artemi Panarin gets moved prior to Wednesday’s roster freeze and the teams in the mix to acquire the forward, whether the Leafs’ recent play will change their approach to the deadline, and when NHL players will start travelling to Italy.
Panarin trade talks going down to the wire
Schiiler: Here’s our hockey insider, Chris Johnston.
Just mere hours away from the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, Chris, a lot of attention remains on the New York Rangers, specifically their top trade target, Artemi Panarin. What’s the latest on him potentially being moved before 3 p.m. today?
Johnston: Well, what I can tell you is that attention is warranted. There is a real push and desire from both sides, Panarin’s side and the Rangers, to try to see this through to a conclusion prior to that 3 p.m. Eastern deadline kicking in on Wednesday. And there’s lots of reasons for that.
I mean, someone close to these talks pointed out to me on this morning that Artemi Panarin, not only has he not played for the Rangers for the last week as they started to work through this, he hasn’t been practising with the team either. He’s been skating on his own.
And so, in the event that something doesn’t happen, it’s a long way for him until Feb. 23 when trades can resume on the other side of the Olympics. So, I think that that’s something to consider. But it’s also a complicated transaction. Artemi Panarin’s desire remains to sign a contract extension as part of a trade. He’s got a no-movement clause. So really, he and his agent are driving the bus on these discussions.
And there’s been a lot of teams involved here. The Washington Capitals have put forward a big offer for Panarin. The Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, they both have shown interest to some degree. There’s a lot of attention on the perennial buyers, the Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars. And I think the contract is a little more complicated for teams in that pool. I’ve even heard a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs has at least kicked some tires on Panarin.
And no doubt the list is longer than that, as perhaps there’s a surprise waiting out there. A lot has to come together now in the last few hours. But I can tell you that between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, those talks do continue and there is hope that they can find a resolution before the trade freeze kicks in.
Leafs approach to deadline unlikely to change after wins
Schiiler: Oh, you mentioned the Maple Leafs. They have turned things around a little bit before heading into their break after a third straight win through Western Canada Tuesday night.
Could this recent stretch impact their approach at the trade deadline, Chris?
Johnston: I don’t think it changes anything from a process standpoint for management. And look, you can see the message from the players. They’re not ready to throw in the towel on the season. They believe that they actually found a little bit of their mojo on that trip through Western Canada, getting those wins and maybe narrowing at least the math that they’ll face when they get back after the Olympics in terms of what it will take to get back in the playoffs.
But from the Brad Treliving side of things [and] the Leafs front office, they have started garnering and gauging what their players are worth on the market. And I don’t expect a three-game winning streak and even perhaps if it extends beyond the break where the Leafs win a couple games out of the break, don’t believe that’s going to material or alter what this front office wants to do. And really, they’re looking at the second layer of players on the roster.
You’ve heard the names – pending UFAs like a Bobby McMann who played well in Edmonton and has been tied to rumours with the Edmonton Oilers potentially having interest there. Scott Laughton is a pending UFA. Simon Benoit, perhaps a Brandon Carlo or Oliver Ekman-Larsson. I mean, all these names, I think the Leafs are going to get a good sense over the break in terms of what the value is for them on the market, monitor those decisions and as we get closer to March 6, I do still think you’re going to see the Leafs sell to some degree.
So, barring a real unexpected change of heart, I don’t think really the position changes for where the Leafs are at based on this winning run. But I do know the players would like to change management’s thinking on that.
NHL players start arriving in Milan on Thursday
Schiiler: Meanwhile, there are 17 more total games to be played across the NHL tonight and tomorrow night. But some teams, Chris, have already played their final games before the Winter Olympics.
So what’s the plan for when the players are heading over to Italy?
Johnston: Well, it’s getting real now. There will be NHL players on the ground in Milan as soon as Thursday and certainly by Friday when the opening ceremonies are scheduled to be held there.
Among them, Charlie McAvoy, Jeremy Swayman, David Pastrnak with the Boston Bruins. All those players are getting over there early in order to participate in the opening ceremonies.
I’m led to believe there are other players that are looking at getting on some flights a little sooner because the NHL charters are not due to depart until Saturday, meaning arriving on Sunday with a transatlantic flight. But the national teams for each of the countries, Canada, the U.S., are scheduled to practise on Sunday in Milan.
So while there, yes, there’s still a little bit left here on the NHL schedule, you can’t blame some players if they’re already thinking about Italy because it’s getting very close and we will have some guys at least that are represented in that opening ceremonies from the NHL.
Schiiler: Never a bad idea to get over there and get into that time zone as well.
He’s our hockey insider, Chris Johnston. And Chris, along with the full panel of insiders, are back later this afternoon for the latest from around the hockey world.
