Report: Kane texted Panarin after trade, still hasn’t heard back

When the Chicago Blackhawks traded Artemi Panarin in a package deal to the Columbus Blue Jackets for former Hawks forward Brandon Saad, Chicago hockey fans were shocked. But, they were probably only half as shocked as Hawks superstar Patrick Kane. 

Kane and Panarin were an electric duo during their short time together in Chicago and the pair had become close friends off the ice, as well. That’s why it’s so surprising to learn that Panarin has essentially turned his back on his former friend and teammate. You see, while attending this week’s Jeremy Roenick Camp in Chicago, Kane opened up about the trade and shared some juicy tidbits about how everything went down.

Kane claims that he reached out to Panarin via text message immediately following news of the trade but that Panarin has yet to respond or even communicate with Kane. For what it’s worth, Panarin seems to have an excuse. The 25-year-old Russian said, "I have not talked to Patrick yet, I turn off the American phone in Russia, and no one knows my Russian number," before adding, ” When I'll go back to states i see what they wrote to me."

Fair enough. Still, don’t you think it’s weird that Panarin would go so long before addressing something so monumental?