The news out of Russia hit Artemi Panarin like a ton of bricks. A former KHL coach, Andrei Nazarov with a political axe to grind and a history of outlandish rhetoric claimed a young Panarin assaulted a girl in 2011. Nazarov, a huge Putin supporter went after Panarin, an outspoken critic of the Russian president. Almost within hours of the story breaking the Rangers released this statement:
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story. This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.