Anaheim Ducks: Do they need Artemi Panarin?

The 2018-19′ Anaheim Ducks look to be ripe with young talent. Especially at the forward positions as many young prospects are closing in on coveted spots. But should the Ducks look to land a young winger who has long been rumored on the trading block? And one that could add to the Ducks new found “speed game”?

The Erik Karlsson domino has fallen. Sometimes when one player garners so much attention on the trade market it holds deals up for other players. While with the Karlsson deal done we move on to another player that some have been waiting to get moved for a long time. Artemi Panarin.

Panarin broke into the league with the Chicago Blackhawks and posted great numbers in the time he spent in the Windy City. A 61-90-151 line in two seasons with the Blackhawks. That’s certainly impressive numbers. And he has been a playoff performer too posting eight points in eleven career playoff games. A cap casualty of the Blackhawks he was sent to Columbus where they hoped he would usher in a new era of Blue Jackets hockey. And while he did set records in Blue Jackets history with his 27-55-82 line last season it appears there is another city in Ohio that struggle to hold on to talent.

Rumors have been swirling that Panarin wants a change of scenery and with him set to hit the UFA market come July 2019 he’ll get it sooner rather than later. Per Daren Dregger the Blue Jackets company line seems to be that they want to re-sign him long term. Despite the trade calls they’re receiving, they aren’t listening. But Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen won’t want to lose Panarin next summer and while his stance remains that he wants to re-sign him the right deal could, of course, persuade him otherwise. So how would the Ducks pull off such a move?

For that answer, we here at Pucks of a Feather reached out to our friends over at Union and Blue. We asked them point blank what would it take to get Panarin to SoCal? We were told the following:

I don’t think anyone would trade the sunshine of SoCal but what about the other pieces? To get a talent like Panarin you will have to give up talent. With that said and all due respect to the crew over at Union and Blue I believe that the players they listed are too much. I say this because Panarin is a UFA come next summer. In much the same manner as the return was diminished for Erik Karlsson because there is no guarantee he re-signs in San Jose. The Ducks and any other team for that matter will offer less on the off chance Panarin becomes a “rental”.

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Personally, I think a package of Ondrej Kase, Jakob Silfverberg and a conditional pick would get the deal done. The conditional pick would be contingent upon the Ducks re-signing Panarin. This also allows the Ducks to keep Troy Terry who looks to be a star. I don’t like the idea of losing Kase and Silfverberg but Columbus would want a young promising player and an NHL vet to make up for the loss. And from the Ducks side its even up as Silfverberg enters his last year before free agency and would be looking for a decent payday as well. Not Panarin money but decent money.

There is no doubt Panarin would slot right into a top 6 roll and with Patrick Eaves and Ryan Kelser shelved for a least a bit longer the spot would be there. And the Ducks would be even better upon their return. the biggest hurdle is re-signing Panarin. Those kinds of points would garner 9-10 million per season and most likely he’ll want a long-term commitment of 6-7 years. That’s big coin to throw around. He’s proved he is worth it but would the Ducks shell out that kind of money?

They have the pieces to entice Columbus but will they shell out the money needed? What do you think Ducks fans? Do you want/think the Ducks need Artemi Panarin?