Preseason games aren't supposed to be this exciting. Artemi Panarin might be something special.
Going to the Blackhawks' preseason game against the Stars on Saturday night, I knew I'd watch some hockey, have a couple beers, maybe even catch a nice highlight or two. What I didn't expect to see was the opening salvo of Artemi Panarin's coming out party with a North American audience that looks sure to love him.
We spent a lot of the offseason hyping up Panarin, the 23-year-old Russian winger who signed on to become a Blackhawk in the spring.