Artemi Panarin Could Speed Up the Detroit Red Wings Rebuild
By Bob Heyrman
Artemi Panarin has expressed that the Columbus Blue Jackets may not be a fit for his services past this season. Would he be a fit for the Detroit Red Wings?
The Detroit Red Wings have struggled in recent years to find a prolific scorer. Marian Hossa back in 2008/09 was the last 40 goal scorer. That season the wings had four 30 plus goal scorers and have not had one, not ONE since.
A season that saw Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, and Marian Hossa all eclipse the 30 goal mark justifies why the Detroit Red Wings appeared in back to back Stanley Cup Finals. The lack of scoring since also explains why the Wings haven’t been close to returning.
Watching Artemi Panarin play against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night I couldn’t help but ponder if it would be possible the Wings could acquire his services on a long-term basis. The Columbus Blue Jackets will have the entire season to try to get a deal done with the young superstar, but if the bridge continues to be much too rickety to cross he will become an unrestricted free agent come July 1, 2019.
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The Detroit Red Wings would be able to offer the star a max deal next summer. Along with the NHL Salary Cap expected to increase a bit, the Wings have significant money coming off the books. Gustav Nyquist, Thomas Vanek, Jimmy Howard, Martin Frk and Niklas Kronwall all combined total equals 18.75 million set to expire off the books.
The Detroit Red Wings already have Dylan Larkin, AA and Anthony Mantha signed past next season. Michael Rasmussen and Filip Zadina are on rookie deals. After three seasons they will become RFA’s and that provides long-term team flexibility through the arbitration years.
In a couple of seasons, Mike Green and Trevor Daley are both coming off the books along with Jonathan Bernier. Basically what we are saying is, it will be financially feasible to give Artemi Panarin a max deal.
Panarin who turns 27 this month has played in three full NHL seasons and has been above 70 points each season. He has scored 20 or more even-strength goals in each of his first three seasons. Another eye-popping stat which shows his full value, he’s been a plus player every season. He will be a max player where ever he decides to sign, Columbus or elsewhere. Fingers crossed the Detroit Red Wings prepare a sales pitch if he hits the open market next summer.
Money won’t be the issue to bring Panarin into Detroit. The sales pitch if you’re the Detroit Red Wings would be; look at all the young talent we have. We have a young center in Dylan Larkin who is a budding star; we potentially have a superstar caliber talent in Filip Zadina. Michael Rasmussen is a very nice complimentary forward who will continue to develop. Panarin would have the opportunity to spread his wings in Motown if he chose to join Detroit.
Next. Predicting the 2018/19 Detroit Red Wings Team leaders. dark
Panarin would rub off on Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. Whoever Artemi plays with would see a significant increase in production. Imagine that as the top line in Detroit over the next ten years. A signing like this would increase the rebuilding process by years.