After a political hit published in Russia on Monday that prompted Rangers striker Artemi Panarin to withdraw from the team, the Blueshirts as an organization are fiercely supporting their best player.
The Post’s Larry Brooks first reported that Panarin, the Rangers’ top scorer, would be taking a hockey license after his former Vityaz coach Andrei Nazarov told a Russian media outlet that the former Moscow region club striker assaulted an 18-year-old girl in Riga, Latvia, after a road game in 2011.
Nazarov, a well-known supporter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly and publicly criticized Panarin for his outspoken beliefs about the Putin regime.
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all charges in this made-up story,” the Rangers said in a statement.
Ryan Strome, who has often played on the same line as Panarin since signing with Rangers in July 2019, said it was a hectic and exciting morning at the team’s training facilities in Tarrytown, NY. He said the team was still processing the situation, adding that everyone intends to support Panarin in any way they can.
“We see him behind closed doors every day and his personality and the way he behaves, his character and his attitude,” said Strome on Monday. “He’s just an incredible person. I think for us, just give him this time, give him the space and whatever happens, whatever the schedule, we will welcome him back with more than open arms. “
Coach David Quinn pointed to Rangers’ statement – which called the Russian article a clear “intimidation tactic” that “shook” Panarin – when asked about the situation. He said the team spoke on Monday morning about Panarin leaving for an indefinite period of time before leaving and having a “great workout”.
“It goes far beyond hockey,” said Quinn, who added that he is proud of the way his players have dealt with difficult circumstances. “We are here to support you. We are here as a team and these guys take care of each other on and off the ice. “
The 29-year-old Russian, a native of Korkino, has publicly opposed Putin in recent years and last month. Panarin declared his support for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny – a high-profile critic of Putin – on Instagram last month, ahead of the planned protests in his country.
Panarin is likely to be concerned for the safety and well-being of his family who still reside in Russia.
“Before these guys were professional athletes, they are human beings,” said Quinn. “Just because they play a professional sport does not mean that they are immune to life’s problems and difficulties. I think that sometimes people lose sight of that. “
During Kaapo Kakko’s first brief stint on the COVID-19 Protocol list, which was due to a false positive, Quinn was quick to say that he hoped the second general choice of 2019 would return to the roster soon.
Asked about Kakko’s current status on Monday, the third-year coach did not appear to have any deadline for the 20-year-old winger’s return from his current assignment to the COVID-19 Protocol list.
“He’s fine,” he said. “I wish I could give him a better answer, but I’m not sure when he will be able to return.”
With Filip Chytil (upper body injury) hitting the four-week mark on his four to six week injury schedule, Quinn said the 21-year-old pivot should start skating again soon.
“He’s making progress,” said Quinn. “He is going to start skating again soon. We hope to have you back sooner or later. “