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NHL Rumors: Artemi Panarin will talk future with Blue Jackets in January

By Dave Stevenson

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 5: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Artemi Panarin
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 5: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Artemi Panarin /
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According to the latest NHL rumors, the Blue Jackets and soon to be free agent forward Artemi Panarin will discuss his future in January.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been dealing with two off-the-ice storylines thus far this season. Both of them involve free agency. Star forward Artemi Panarin and two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky are each going to be free agents after the 2018-19 season unless something is done to keep them around. The latest NHL rumors suggest the former is at least somewhat open to returning.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the two sides are scheduled to meet at some point in January. The date isn’t set in stone, but considering the Blue Jackets have their bye week right before the All-Star break, giving them nine off days, that would be the most logical time to meet and discuss things.

Thus far, Columbus has shown no desire to trade Panarin. He’s arguably their best player and certainly their most dynamic forward. Panarin has 26 points in 23 games thus far this season after putting up 27 goals and 82 points in 81 games during the 2017-18 season.

Short-term, this doesn’t really change anything. Obviously, Panarin was never completely untouchable because he hasn’t expressed a desire to sign an extension in Columbus yet. But he’s been about as close to it as possible, with the team expressing no desire to trade him.

Now, long-term, this meeting in January could give the Blue Jackets the clarity they need. At the very least, they’ll have a much better idea of where they stand with Panarin and if re-signing him long-term is a possibility.

It should be interesting to see what Columbus does at the trade deadline. They’ll most likely be contenders. Do they keep both Panarin and Bobrovsky, risking losing both for, at best, a mid-round pick from another team who wants a few extra days of negotiating?

Next. 5 Teams Who Should Trade For Panarin. dark

If Columbus decides to trade one, it’s most likely Bobrovsky. Assuming the Jackets are still serious Stanley Cup contenders at the trade deadline, Panarin likely isn’t going anywhere. After all, he gives Columbus its best possible chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup.

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