As new buzz circulates that the Columbus Blue Jackets might trade star winger Artemi Panarin, CBJ faithful are rightfully in panic mode.
But lets hit the pause button for a minute. Folks may be getting a bit too ahead of themselves. To bring a sense of calm to the room, here are five reasons why the ‘Bread Man’ will end up in Columbus Blue Jackets uniform for years to come.
1. Jarmo & Torts Know What They’ve Got in #9
On countless occasions both coach John Tortorella and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen referenced how rare players like Panarin are. At first, it sounds silly to use this as logic that the winger stays in Columbus. It would be wise though to keep in mind that CBJ brass understand you can’t win Stanley Cups without superstar gamebreakers and Panarin is just that.
If I were a gambling man, I bet Jarmo & co. would go to the grave before they give up on a talent like Panarin. The team has a lot of skill throughout, but offensive, take over a game kind of players are few and far between.
I doubt the Jackets will go down without throwing everything they can at #9. A prospect or budding forward with similar skills isn’t enough.
The Jackets want to win now and they have enough youth. Panarin is the right fit for where the franchise wants to go. Torts and Jarmo clearly won’t go down on this without a fight.
2. A Willing Agent Is a Losing Agent
If you’ve followed professional sports for a while, you understand that agents have a reputation for being impossible to work with. There’s a reason for that. The number one reason is because a an overly-willing agent can only cost his player contract dollars in the end. Part of an agent’s job is to be impossible and there’s no reason why Artemi’s agent should act differently.
According to Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada, it is Panarin who doesn’t want to talk about an extension right now. Players too get coached up in this process. It’s not Bread’s job to negotiate his contract.
His agent, Dan Milstein, holds all the cards at this point. It’s his job to not only get top dollar for his player, but to build up that tension and cash in on it once it’s hit a fever pitch. Unfortunately, we are nowhere near that fever pitch.
3. Star Players Do This Once
If you know anything about the NHL, you know that top flight star players usually get one massive contract in their career. They have one, monumental opportunity to cash in for max dollars with a monster contract.
Look at the all-star rosters. Star players sign huge deals and stay put for a long time. I don’t think Panarin’s situation will be different.
It is his agent’s job (unfortunately) to squeeze the death out of this orange and ensure the Columbus Blue Jackets brass know what they have and/or could lose. By playing impossible early on, the agent is slowly blossoming that mega contract. Sports agency is one of the most psychological professions out there.
Related Story: Panarin is about to get paid
Turning 27 in October, it is high time for Panarin to collect on his young, all-star portfolio. I expect Milstein to make this process unbearable for all parties involved, but you know what? He can because he’s the one representing a player the entire league would love to have.
4. Prime Time to Sign
The best time for any athlete to sign his once in a lifetime, mega deal is after a great season. Panarin has been incredibly fortunate with his health to this point in his career. Coming off a sizzling 82-point haul, there isn’t a better time for the Bread Man to get paid.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sure he could put up even greater numbers next year, but it’s far from certain. Whether he scores 82, 90 or 100 points, his new contract at this point would be massive. Anything above $9M a year is just bonus play money at this point.
Heaven forbid the Russian winger get injured, but unless he simply wants to play in a different city – there’s no valid reason to wait (too long) to sign. Inking an extension before the 2018-2019 season kicks off ensures he is financially taken care of for the rest of his life, no matter what could follow. This includes not only injury, but a bizarre drop in production, the rise of other players’ value, etc.
5. Comfort Matters
Say what you want, but comfort does matter. Sure, Artemi wants to earn what he deserves but his fit in a very talented top line shouldn’t be overlooked.
Some say a winger’s potential is only as good as his line mates. In Columbus, Panarin is slotted next to breakout rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois and fellow all-star Cam Atkinson. This coming season would be the first full year for all three together, healthy. It’s scary to think of the damage these three could do in 82 games.
In Columbus, the Bread Man can settle in with current Russian teammates and future ones alike. Being a giant fish out of water can take a while to adjust to. Being from small-town Russia, having players on his bench that he can connect with culturally does matter.
Wrap Up
Three cities in three years might sound exhausting because it is. From someone who has moved across the globe his entire life, it takes a toll. Panarin isn’t one for flash or spotlight, and I think this helps Columbus’ odds of retaining him.
I don’t think #9 is chasing cups or notoriety. He’s known to be a likable, quiet guy who simply plays hard and wants to win. He can do both as the centerpiece of the Jackets and do it for a long time. On a young team with fellow countrymen and tons of winning potential going forward, I don’t see the Bread Man going anywhere.
It’s going to be an ugly ride, but in the end I think Jarmo wins an exhausting battle with Milstein and Panarin stays with the Jackets. I’m known to be an optimist, but health, winning, comfort and finances all line up here.
Count me in for a fresh #9 Adidas sweater in 2019. Union and blue please.