The news out of Russia hit Artemi Panarin like a ton of bricks. His former KHL coach, Andrei Nazarov with a political axe to grind and a history of outlandish rhetoric claimed a young Panarin assaulted a girl back in 2011.
For context, Nazarov is a huge Putin supporter and targeted Panarin who is an outspoken critic of the Russian president.
Almost within hours of the story breaking the Rangers released this statement:
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story. This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.