New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is on leave from the team due to a politically motivated article from Russia, in which his former Vityaz manager alleges that the former Moscow region striker defeated an 18-year-old girl in Riga, Latvia in 2011, Larry Brooks of The Post reported Monday morning.
Andrei Nazarov, who is currently the head coach of the KHL’s Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, has repeatedly criticized Panarin for the attacker’s outspoken beliefs about the regime of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Nazarov is a well-known supporter of Putin.
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all charges in this made-up story,” the Rangers said in a statement. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic used against him for being frank about recent political events. Artemi is obviously shaken and worried and will take some time away from the team. The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these baseless claims.
In July 2019, Panarin sat down for an interview with Vsemu Golovin on YouTube and eviscerated Putin. It was a bombastic interview in which the 2020 Hart trophy finalist – barefoot in his living room in St. Petersburg – criticized the entire Putin regime.
Panarin discussed Russian politics, economics, freedom of speech and made several unflattering comparisons of his homeland with the United States.
Panarin’s grandparents still live in Russia, as do some other family members.