NHL Talking Points: Panarin sweepstakes, Karlsson dilemma, more

NHL Talking Points is a weekly column highlighting stories that have been circulating around the league. This week, we take a look at the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes, the Ottawa Senators’ Erik Karlsson dilemma and more.

The past week has seen a wide range of narratives occupy the focal point of the National Hockey League. A prominent insider speculated on the future of Artemi Panarin, rumors continue to swirl around Ottawa Senators’ captain Erik Karlsson, prominent contracts were signed and Alexander Ovechkin is still taking the world of sport by storm.

Let’s have a look at some of the stories that have been making headlines across the NHL.

1. Artemi Panarin to… Toronto? San Jose?

In an appearance on the NHL Network, Elliotte Friedman was asked about rumblings surrounding the future of Columbus Blue Jackets’ winger Artemi Panarin. The 26-year-old, who put up 27 goals and 82 points in the 2017-18 NHL season, recently made headlines when it was widely reported that his future in Ohio was set to become something of a question mark.

Then, on July 16, Igor Eronko of NHL.com (Russian edition) tweeted about a meeting between Panarin and Blue Jackets’ general manager, Jarmo Kekäläinen. Attempting to convince the team’s superstar to sign a long-term deal, Kekäläinen apparently parted ways with Panarin and his agent after a mere 45 minutes. A sure blow, indeed, for an administrator attempting to convince his most prized piece to remain a staple of his beloved organization for years to come.

For Kekäläinen, the implications of Panarin’s reluctance to remain in Columbus are enormous. Will the Blue Jackets’ GM look to keep the Russian forward for another season (thus allowing him to walk on July 1, 2019)? Or should he aim to trade Panarin before the start of the upcoming season?

According to Friedman, Panarin’s agent is intent on completing everything by the beginning of training camp (Sept. 13). As such, it looks like Columbus shall attempt to test the market in the upcoming weeks.

From a purely speculative lens, Friedman ruminated on the possibility of teams “investing big into next year” making a push to sign the talented winger, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks occupying the focal point of the insider’s thoughts. While extending Panarin would be impossible for the Leafs and incredibly difficult for the Sharks, Friedman nonetheless wondered about whether the clubs would be willing to make Panarin a one-year offer — with the hope of a Stanley Cup at the forefront of their respective arguments.

Look for the Panarin sweepstakes to form the basis of the talk circuit of the hockey world in the weeks ahead.

2. The Erik Karlsson dilemma is not going away anytime soon. 

In the same appearance, Friedman was asked for his opinion on the possibility — or lack thereof — of Ottawa Senators’ captain, Erik Karlsson, being traded.

“One thing…I believe is that it wasn’t that close,” Friedman said about the alleged rumors that Karlsson had been dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning. “We thought there were rumors that it was close, but I don’t think it was ever really that close.”

He went on to describe the present scenario as a “holding pattern,” noting that although teams like the aforementioned Lightning, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights would be interested in adding the generational talent to their respective lineups, their contextual situations are devoid of an avenue through which they could strike a balance that would benefit both parties. Curiously, he added that, in the eyes of one prominent GM, the belief among players is that Karlsson would ideally like to remain a Senator, but the team’s current state has prompted him to explore other options.

3. Jacob Trouba’s future promises to remain a subject of debate.

After almost two days of intense deliberation, an arbitrator has decided that Winnipeg Jets’ defender Jacob Trouba shall make $5.5 million over the course of a year.

The 24-year-old, who tallied 24 points in 55 games during the 2017-18 campaign, was hoping to earn $7 million in the upcoming season. The Jets, in contrast, had sought to award him $4 million — a mere raise of $1 million from his previous cap hit of $3 million.

The arbitrator’s decision certainly promises to calm the storms of negotiation — albeit on a temporary basis. Given that discussions aimed at reaching an agreement have turned tense for the second time in just three seasons, the blue liner’s future promises to be a topic of consideration in the months to come.

As Jared Clinton of The Hockey News writes, the case for acquiring Trouba is a compelling one:

"Last season, Trouba had the highest slant of defensive zone starts among the regular top six defenders in Winnipeg, yet he boasted the third-best Corsi for percentage (51.1), second-best shots for percentage (52.4), third-best goals for percentage (55.1), second-best scoring chances for percentage (53) and best high-danger chances for percentage (54). He drove play and insulated the crease as well, if not better, than any other blueliner.And while some will assert that his offensive totals should preclude him from consideration as a true top rearguard — and Trouba has failed to eclipse 10 goals or 33 points in any of his five campaigns thus far — his underlying numbers are undeniable. Only 15 defensemen with more than 750 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time scored at a higher rate per 60 minutes last season, and over the past three seasons, Trouba also ranks 25th among 3,000-plus minute defenders in 5-on-5 production per 60 minutes. He’s in the same company as the likes of Colton Parayko, Ryan McDonagh, Matt Dumba, Shayne Gostisbehere, Nick Leddy and Kris Letang."

As the Jets shall attempt to re-sign the likes of Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler during next year’s offseason, fans will look to GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to work his magic. If negotiations sour yet again, expect Trouba’s future to serve as an extensive subject of rumination across the hockey world.

4. The Minnesota Wild and Matt Dumba settled on a five-year contract.

To the joy of Wild fans, Dumba, 23, shall remain a member of the red and green for five more seasons. The deal comes with a $6 million cap hit — thus pleasing both player and club, respectively.

The extension of Dumba promises increased security for Minnesota’s blue line in the years ahead. Currently in a questionable state, the Wild shall look to cross the barrier between pretender and contender in the 2017-18 season, turning to Dumba to provide the stability that fans have long desired on the franchise’s back end.

Said GM Paul Fenton: “He played almost 24 minutes a game last year…. It’s hard to find a right-handed defenseman with game-breaking ability. I love the competitiveness that Matt brings to the game, along with the offense. And we wanted to keep our defense together.”

5. Alexander Ovechkin’s offseason continues to be nothing short of legendary.

He proved the doubters wrong. He won the Stanley Cup — as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy. He celebrated in a manner that most of us can only ever dream of.

He came. He saw. He conquered.

And now he’s the recipient of the ESPY for Best Male Athlete.

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The best part? Ovechkin is the only NHLer to win the award since its introduction in 1993.

As per Bob Trosset of NBC Sports, Ovechkin “beat out Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros, James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.”

How’s that for the haters?