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Chicago Blackhawks rumors: Artemi Panarin open to return

By Dave Stevenson

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 19: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) looks on after a missed shot during game 4 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 19, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 19: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin (9) looks on after a missed shot during game 4 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on April 19, 2018. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The latest NHL rumors have Artemi Panarin likely not returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, it sounds like he’d be open to a return to the Chicago Blackhawks. 

The Artemi Panarin for Brandon Saad trade shook up the NHL during the summer of 2017. Nobody thought the Chicago Blackhawks would deal the former, but they did. Just like they once dealt the latter. The trade has worked about well for Panarin’s Columbus Blue Jackets, as they clearly got the best player in the trade.

However, they traded for him with the assumption they could persuade him to stick around long-term. Panarin will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-19 season. He spent the first two seasons of his career with the Blackhawks. Panarin accumulated 151 points, including 61 points, in 162 regular season games. In the postseason, he added two goals and six assists in 11 games.

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Perhaps the Blue Jackets should have realized from the moment Panarin only signed a three-year extension with the Blackhawks that his intention was always to test the open market as quickly as possible.

Regardless, it appears Panarin will not discuss an extension with Columbus. According to The Athletic (subscription required), the former Blackhawks forward would be open to playing in Chicago again.

Panarin’s unwillingness to sign an extension is likely going to keep the Blue Jackets from getting a huge return for him. So unless someone is willing to blow them away with an offer, expect them to keep him until at least the trade deadline. Potentially longer, depending on how the Blue Jackets are doing.

For Chicago, this is fantastic news. The Blackhawks dearly miss Panarin’s skill. He made the second forward line quite dangerous. If the Blackhawks can get Panarin back, they’d be back to having an unbelievable top six forward group.

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With the Russian star back in the fold, here’s what Chicago’s top two forward lines could look like for the foreseeable future.

Saad – Jonathan Toews – Alex DeBrincat
Panarin – Nick Schmaltz – Patrick Kane

Their bottom six would still have some holes to fill, but that’s a pretty outstanding core to build around. If Panarin is truly interested in a return to Chicago, one has to imagine the Blackhawks would be more than happy to figure out how they could squeeze in his (likely) eight-figure per year long-term deal.

For updated NHL rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page.

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