Artemi Panarin has become a proven superstar with the Columbus Blue Jackets and it appears that he’s not ready to sign a contract extension according to Elliotte Friedman. Friedman also states that the Columbus Blue Jackets are testing the market for him.
There is word today that Artemi Panarin has told CLB that he is not ready to consider an extension “at this time.” (UFA July 2019.) As a result, the Blue Jackets are testing the market for him.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 19, 2018
This means that the Columbus Blue Jackets may be forced to face the decision of moving the winger or trying to wait it out and risking a potential John Tavares situation next off-season.