Unsettling News Strikes As Mike Sullivan Confirms Artemi Panarin's Preseason Debut Is Officially Canceled
Photo credit: Danny Wild-imagn images
Artemi Panarin unfortunately did not make his preseason debut against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. The Russian superstar was instead held out of the lineup due to precaution according to NHL Insider Colin Stephenson.
The New York Rangers have made forward Artemi Panarin a late scratch on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.
Fans were hoping that the Russian superstar would make his preseason debut against the New Jersey Devils on home ice. But instead, the team has decided to take precautions and ensure he's fully recovered before taking the ice.
Panarin has been out of the lineup since September 19th, when he suffered a lower-body injury during practice.
However, following the Rangers game it appears that Mike Sullivan doesn't plan on seeing Panarin suit up for any preseason games. At least for the Rangers last preseason game on Saturday.
Unfortunately, this situation isn't any different than last season, where he'd miss time during training camp with a lower-body injury on October 3rd, 2024.
Artemi Panarin: A future trade chip, or the Rangers' future?
According to Mike Sullivan, Artemi Panarin has been seen skating at practice, but again was held out of the lineup due to precautionary reasons.
«He looks good. He looks strong,» Sullivan said. «Obviously he's an incredible player. You know the things he does with the puck. He's unique in that regard. You see what he does on the power play, for example. We worked on our power play at practice today. I think he looks strong, healthy, fit - all of the above. I don't know whether we're going to put him in the lineup tomorrow or not. We'll make that decision after we meet this afternoon.
«But we really like the way he's trending, and I think the last couple of days have been quality practices for him.»
«But we really like the way he's trending, and I think the last couple of days have been quality practices for him.»
The New York Rangers want to see Panarin return to the ice healthy and ready to be the 120-point player we've seen in the past.
His $11.6 million contract will expire at the end of the season, and with Panarin rejecting the latest offer from the team, we can't help but wonder if he'll be a trade chip in the future.
Considering that Connor McDavid could end up being a free agent in the future, removing Panarin's hit from the bank could give the team plenty of leeway to acquire a superstar like McDavid if they could.
Though with Kirill Kaprizov's latest contract ($17 million AAV), he won't come cheap.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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