Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen didn’t have a contract offer in hand when he met Artemi Panarin where they met in France.
Panarin told Kekalainen, and his agent confirmed today, that Panarin wants all business to be pushed aside when training camp opens on September 13th.
“Artemi loves hockey,” his agent, Daniel Milstein said. “He hates the business side of hockey.
“When the season starts, the focus can only be on playing. He’s going to play his best and give his best to the hockey club.