Russian athletes come out in support Artemi Panarin
It’s been only a few weeks since Artemi Panarin took his indefinite leave of absence from the New York Rangers, following the release of a Russian hit piece, claiming that Panarin assaulted an 18-year old woman back in 2011 during his time in the KHL. Panarin’s agent, and the New York Rangers organization denied all allegations, calling the reports “fabricated,” and an “intimidation tactic.”
How Panarin ended up here
Support from Panarin’s agent, the team, and the fans are to be expected; but when Panarin’s former KHL teammates who were present during the alleged assault speak out and call the story fake, that’s when it becomes big news.
It’s no secret that Panarin is not a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Panarin has been outspoken in more ways than one when it comes to his criticisms of Putin. When Panarin first signed with the Rangers back in 2019, he was a guest on a Russian podcast, where he was not shy about his anti-Putin sentiments.
However, it might be Panarin’s latest political statement that acted as the straw that broke the Russian camel’s back. Following the arrest of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, Panarin took to both his Twitter and Instagram account in support of Navalny, with the captions “Freedom for Navalny.”
The latest update, and why it’s a big deal
Since the hit piece gained international attention, many Russian athletes and Panarin’s ex-teammates have spoken out in support of the Breadman. Why this is a big deal? Because it is very hard to come across high profile Russian athletes who are willing to publicly go against Putin and the Russian media. Mikahil Anisin, one of Panarin’s former teammates who was allegedly present during the assault, told the Russian sports outlet Sports Express that the story was fabricated, and that the “maximum” that could have happened is that Panarin pushed a girl, “and it’s not a fact that it even happened.”
Maxim Sitnikov who played with Panarin in the KHL during the 2011-12 season claimed that “there was no such thing!” when asked about the assault allegations on Panarin. He also then went on to say that Panarin “is a good person, friend and teammate.”
Russian Olympic tennis champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov has also been vocal in support of Panarin.
Andrei Nazarov – Panarin’s former KHL coach – was the source who leaked the assault story to the Russian press. Nazarov has “long been deemed untrustworthy” said Alexei Shevchenko, a Sports Express columnist.
The Russian mainstream media is usually reluctant to cross any Putin ally, but even they have provided some context when describing Panarin’s accuser.
“While few paint Panarin as scandal-free, they point to Nazarov’s penchant for attention, unbuttoned commentary and fealty before the Kremlin.”
-VICE News, Dan Peleschuk
When might we see Panarin back on the ice?
Things are very muddy right now. On one hand you have people close to Panarin saying that no such encounter ever happened, but then there is the report that there may have been some physical contact in one capacity or another between the Russian and a young woman back in 2011.
One thing is for sure; this is far from over, and no one has any idea as to when and if we’ll see Panarin back in a Rangers uniform at any point this season. Many Rangers’ fans are wondering if Jeff Gorton will make any moves by the trade deadline to acquire a star in Panarin’s absence. Jack Eichel’s name has been thrown around online. As the Buffalo Sabres and Eichel himself continue to struggle, many wonder if the Rangers can have him at a discount.
If Panarin doesn’t return and Gorton and the Rangers don’t make a move before the deadline, this season looks like it’s shaping up to be another lottery-year for the New York Rangers.