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Following a politically successful article published in Russia on Monday that prompted Rangers forward Artemi Panarin to step down from the squad, the Blueshirts as an organization are staunchly supporting their star player.
The post office Larry Brooks first reported that Rangers top scorer Panarin would take a leave of absence from hockey after his former Vityaz head coach Andrei Nazarov told Russian media that the ex-Moscow-area club striker assaulted a young girl 18 year old girl in Riga, Latvia after a road game in 2011.
Nazarov, a known supporter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly and publicly criticized Panarin for his open beliefs regarding Putin’s regime.
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies all allegations in this fabricated story,” the Rangers said in a statement.
Ryan Strome, who has played on the same line as Panarin many times since signing with Rangers in July 2019, said it was an eventful and emotional morning at the team’s training center in Tarrytown, New York. York, and said the team is still dealing with the situation, adding that they all intend to support Panarin in any way they can.
“We see him behind closed doors every day and the personality and the way he is, his character and his attitude,” Strome said Monday. “He’s just an amazing person. I think for us just give it this time, give it space and whatever happens, whatever the schedule, we’ll welcome it back with open arms.
Head coach David Quinn pointed to the Rangers’ statement – who called the Russian article a clear “bullying tactic” that “rocked” Panarin – when asked about the situation. He said the team spoke on Monday morning about Panarin walking away indefinitely before going out and doing a “good practice.”
“It goes way beyond hockey,” said Quinn, who added he was proud of the way his players handled this difficult situation. “We are here to support him. We’re here as a team and these guys take care of each other on and off the ice.
Korkino, 29, from Russia, has publicly opposed Putin in recent years and as recently as last month. Panarin declared his support for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny – a high-level critic of Putin – on Instagram last month ahead of planned protests in his country.
It is likely that Panarin cares for the safety and well-being of his family who still reside in Russia.
“Before these guys were professional athletes, they were human beings,” Quinn said. “It is not because they practice a professional sport that they are immune to the problems and difficulties of life. I think sometimes people lose sight of that.
During Kaapo Kakko’s first brief stint on the COVID-19 protocol list, which was due to a false positive, Quinn was quick to say that he expected the second overall pick of 2019. will soon be back in line.
When asked about Kakko’s current status on Monday, the third-year coach did not appear to have a timeline for the 20-year-old winger’s return from his current designation to the COVID-19 protocol roster.
“He’s fine,” he said. “I wish I could have given you a better answer, but I don’t know when he can come back.”
As Filip Chytil (upper body injury) hit the four-week mark in his four- to six-week injury timeline, Quinn said the 21-year-old center should start skating again soon.
“He’s making progress,” Quinn said. “He’s going to start skating again soon. We hope to get it back as soon as possible. “
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