In a stunner, the Columbus Blue Jackets have acquired the electrifying Artemi Panarin from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Brandon Saad, with other pieces involved in the deal. See how NHL insiders and analysts reacted to this trade in real time:
Wow. I am also hearing there is a Panarin/Saad deal in the works.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 23, 2017So full deal: Panarin, Motte and 6th Rd pick this year to Columbus for Saad, Forsberg and 5th Rd pick 2018
Confirming what @FriedgeHNIC initially reported, Artemi Panarin is going to CBJ for Brandon Saad and other pieces, incl a goalie.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2017
So full deal: Panarin, Motte and 6th Rd pick this year to Columbus for Saad, Forsberg and 5th Rd pick 2018
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 23, 2017
Jonathan Toews hasn't been the same without Brandon Saad. Patrick Kane can still be highly productive without Artemi Panarin.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) June 23, 2017
Wonder if acquisition of Panarin is, in any way, a sweetener for Ilya Kovalchuk, who's been discussed by #CBJ. The two were teammates in KHL
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 23, 2017
Stan Bowman doesn't believe this signals taking a step back. Says Saad's 5-on-5 offence equal to Panarin, tho they will miss Panarin on PP.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2017
Reminder that Saad is younger than Panarin.
— Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) June 23, 2017
Metro Division just added Artemi Panarin and Jordan Eberle, and after tonight, it'll have added Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier. Have mercy.
— Daniel Friedman (@DanJFriedman) June 23, 2017
He's thinking long-term because Panarin is going to make a lot more than $6 million in three years. https://t.co/OVYxsk2V8M
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2017
Belief is Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane let it be known to #Hawks how much they missed Saad. They loved him.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 23, 2017
Saad put up good numbers for #CBJ, but never seemed entirely comfortable in new surroundings. Sure he welcomes a return to Chicago.
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) June 23, 2017
