In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on Artemi Panarin's two-year, $6 million per extension with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Todd Cordell
I absolutely love this deal for the Blackhawks.
Since entering the league in 2015-16, Panarin has recorded 114 points (45 goals, 69 assists) in 117 games. Only six players have more assists than Panarin in that span while only three (Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn) have more points.
On top of piling up points at an incredible rate, Panarin also leads the Blackhawks in Corsi For% since joining the team.
By almost every objective measurement he is among the best players in the league and he's not really being paid like one.
The term isn't there, but a bridge deal gives the Blackhawks time to fix their cap situation and decide what they want to do down the road.
James Tanner Hate this deal from a player perspective it seems incredibly stupid to me. In the NHL you have a limited time to make money and you never know what's going to happen. Assuming he racks up huge numbers and stays healthy it can work out pretty nicely for him, obviously. But the risk vs reward here seems poorly thought out.
I mean, It's unlikely he uses the next two years to become an 8 million dollar player, and even if he did, that's what, ten extra million over a long term deal vs what he coulda had now if he went for 5+ years? Seems like a lot, but when the risk is everything, and you'd have $30 million regardless, it seems dumb to me.
From the team's perspective, it's pretty amazing. They get two more years of a player - likely his best years remaining - and don't have to commit long term. Flexibility is key here, maybe they coulda got a lower hit for a longer deal, but if he keeps scoring like he has, it's not even a very high hit.
John Jaeckel Like. A lot.
This is the "bridge" deal the Blackhawks were hoping for. Panarin's summer market value was easily going to reach $7 million a season, and I had heard a rumor that the Hawks' rival St. Louis Blues (just to name one team) would make a hard push for Panarin via an offer sheet if his contract talks were unresolved in the summer.
$6 million a season is a lot for a "bridge" deal. But Panarin, has if anything, taken a step up from last year's stellar rookie season. With Jonathan Toews slumping, and Patrick Kane having a "sub-standard" season thus far, Panarin and countryman Artem Anisimov have been driving much of Chicago's offense.
This is a good deal for Chicago in most respects. The only issue is $6 million a year is still lot of money for a cap-strapped team. Having been through the numbers a few teams, there are ways the Hawks can make it work. But it involves further constraint and subtraction of other veterans in order to simply retain a current asset. This aspect of success under the salary cap is what erodes top teams like the Blackhawks cover time.
But, Panarin's presence in Chicago, and this interim reward, may also help the Hawk front office recruit more free agents from the KHL on entry-level deals.
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