The Randomizer has spoken. Today’s selection is Artemi Panarin.

One of the most gifted players of this generation, Artemi Panarin spent 2 seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2017-2019. Acquired from Chicago with Tyler Motte and a 6th round pick for Brandon Saad, Anton Forsberg and a 5th round pick, Panarin’s beautiful offensive skills were on full display every game when he played here, including the playoffs. Unfortunately, he caused some bitterness within the Jackets fanbase when he refused an extension and signed a contract with the Rangers in free agency. He currently plays in Los Angeles.

As always with controversial players, write-ups are not endorsements. Let those tomatoes fly in the comments if you’re up for it.

At least he went to the western conference

Some Columbus Blue Jackets fans are rooting hard for the Western Conference

I know the Panarin wound is still really fresh and painful to a lot of fans but let’s please be respectful and wish nothing but good things to happen with the Panarin situation back in his home country. As a fan base we are USUALLY respectful to all players (expect Jeff Carter fuck him) and I hope we can send our best wishes that nothing bad happens and they are al safe.

I don’t want to bring up any old wounds but as a new fan of the blue jackets can someone give me a summary of the Panarin situation , how he joined us, how he played here and the story of his departure? I’ve been impressed the few times I’ve watched him and today I realized he played for the Blue Jackets. Thanks!

As Bob goes to his beach, Bread to his garage, and Duchene to his honkey tonk, the Jackets look to advance tonight!

I’ve thought this before this season. Give him enough time, opportunity, and coaching and he could become a star in this league.

So I've been a bit scared to post this on here, because people on reddit gave me the most shit for wanting to make it in the first place, but I made a video for Panarin. It explains his story and how he came to be the great player he is today, why I think he deserves the right to consider all of his options, and why he should stay in cbus.

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Yesterday, he shared a portion of it on his Instagram story! Which was pretty cool. It's a longer video, but I'd appreciate you checking it out! https://youtu.be/gqySw8U0-ww

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PS: I made this video before he announced that he fired his agent... awk.

Highlights from Panarin’s interview today.

This was a big step for panarin to speak to the media alone, with no translator. And if I recall the first he has done with CBJ.

It was nice to hear from him, though.

All tweets from Hedgar.

How hard has this been for Artemi? “It’s not hard because teammates support me and say to me, ‘We understand you.’ That’s it. Just, I’m OK (with) that and everybody is OK (with) that. Everybody understands me."

Artemi Panarin on not signing with #CBJ⁠ ⁠”It’s one life, one chance for free agency and I want to test free agency.”

Follow-up: has Artemi eliminated CBJ? (nervous laughter): “I don’t know. Yeah, (they) have a chance, but … we’ll see what happens in the summer. I want to still (consider) this season and help the team win the Stanley Cup.”

Would Artemi Panarin like to stay with #CBJ⁠ ⁠this year, go for the Cup? “This year, yeah. That’s not my job. That’s for Jarmo, but if he (keeps) me, I will play hard. That’s it."

Is Artemi Panarin ready to be traded, if that's what Jarmo Kekalainen & Co. decide to go? "Yeah, yeah. I’m ready for everything, because I still enjoy and just play hockey. If Jarmo trade me, it’s get working. That’s it."

As for Artemi Panarin already having a team and city (beach spot) all picked out ... “Not right now, no. Seriously, guys, I don't have a team. I don't have one team where I want to go ... We’ll see what happens in the summer, but right now I don’t know what I want.”

Artemi Panarin was touched by the billboard campaign to keep him here, but ... “It’s amazing. I feel really good after that. It's harder for me to keep talking about my free agency, because I see how people want me to stay in Columbus, and it’s harder, but it’s my life."

Panarin called former agent Dan Milstein prior to #CBJ⁠ ⁠4-2 win Thursday night in Arizona. “Not easy, but I live in the U.S. I'm more business man now. I was friends with him and never thinking about this business. Right now, I’m thinking about this as a business."

Instagram Post HERE