I don’t know what Artemi Panarin spent his offseason doing, but marathoning the Austin Powers movies seems like a possibility given his answer to a question about being traded from the Blackhawks.
Artemi Panarin, when asked if he was surprised about the trade over the summer: “That’s business, baby.”
— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) September 20, 2017
The Blackhawks beat the Blue Jackets, 5-2, in a preseason game Tuesday night. Panarin was making his debut in a Columbus uniform after an offseason trade that shipped him out of Chicago along with Tyler Motte, who also played in the game. For Chicago, ex-Jackets goalie Anton Forsberg was fantastic in the win.
Panarin spoke to reporters about his departure from Chicago after the game, including the line above. He also said he was excited about the trade because being away from Patrick Kane will allow him to “express” himself on the ice more often. Presumably, that means looking for Kane less often in favor of doing his own thing.
Kane and Panarin apparently have not talked since the trade.
Artemi Panarin said he hasn’t talked with or seen Patrick Kane since the trade. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 20, 2017
It’s unfortunate to think about Panarin racking up numbers in another city given how spectacular his two years with the Blackhawks were, but as a certain someone says, “That’s business, baby.”