Report: Frontrunner in Panarin sweepstakes is OUT!

We’re just one week away from the opening of the free agent period in the NHL and things are heating up. With Erik Karlsson inking a deal with the San Jose Sharks this past week, pending UFA Artemi Panarin is now the biggest fish in the free agent pond and it’s expected that the Russian sniper will have PLENTY of options available to him come July 1st.

One of those options, a frontrunner in many people’s minds, has reportedly fallen out of favour with Panarin however. That team? His former Chicago Blackhawks. The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reports that the Blackhawks are no longer in consideration.

Check it out:

Panarin will be traveling to NYC this week after he meets with Florida tomorrow; he’s expected to meet with Rangers and Islanders, among others (including Blackhawks, who will meet/call him this week).
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 24, 2019

Very quick follow up here... Upon further/new intel, hearing Panarin doesn’t plan to returning to Chicago. https://t.co/JEb9SMtbPu
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 24, 2019

Ouch… Blackhawks fans have long been dreaming of a reunion between Panarin and superstar Patrick Kane…

With the Blackhawks seemingly out of the mix, experts predict that the Panarin sweepstakes is now down to the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

Stay tuned.