The Blue Jackets and Sam Howell Jerseys general manager Jarmo Kekalainen knew they were taking a risk when they traded for superstar forward Artemi Panarin.

Giving up the cost certainty of Brandon Saada motivator for Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and not knowing whether Panarin had a true desire to re-up in Columbus were legitimate gambles. One of them remains to be seen, depending on how Saad rebounds this fall, but the other has become quite a challenge.

As the summer began, the Blue Jackets were optimistic that theyd be able to open negotiations with Dan Milstein, Panarins agent, and work toward a long-term (and likely quite lucrative) deal that would keep Panarin in Columbus for the next eight years. Well not likely know the exact numbers under consideration, but it would be a surprise if the Blue Jackets werent prepared to offer in the neighborhood of $9 million-$10 million per season.

But as luck would have it, none of that would matter.

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Shortly before free agency began, Milstein notified the Blue Jackets that Panarin with the Blue Jackets. The words at this time were reportedly included, but those are immaterial.Panarin doesnt want to commit the next eight years of his career to Columbus, which is well within his right as a pending free agent.

It doesnt make life any easier for Kekalainen and the Blue Jackets, though.

Theyre between a rock and a hard place here (to put it lightly). Panarin is a star, perhaps the most talented player to ever wear a Blue Jackets jersey and a rare worth the price of admi sion type in a hockey market thats had little to nothing in that regard for nearly 20 years. Losing Panarin would be a tough outcome to swallow, especially when you consider how he helped elevate their attack into a legitimately dangerous territory.

Lets also make this clear: The Blue Jackets' hockey operations team, led by John Davidson, is one with a clear directive on managing a sets. Theyre not a big-market, big-budget Jonathan Allen T Shirts team thats going out swinging every year in free agency. They intend to build a team through the draft and by establishing a solid infrastructure in their minor-league system. Theyre in no position to letPanarinwalk away for nothing, and theres a microscopic chance well see that happen here.

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The Blue Jackets simply wont get caught without a seat when the music stops. But now theres a deadline, too.

And you thought this situation seemed pretty straightforward,didnt you?

PanarinandMilsteininformed the Blue Jackets recently that, after Sept. 13, all busine s matters Shaka Toney Jerseys are off the table and the player will focus on hockey. Thats obviously open to interpretation because ifKekalainencant swing a deal with, say, theRangers (well use them as an example for this exercise) before that date andPanarinhas a desire to play there long term whos to say he wont be open to being traded there on Sept. 22?

Artemiloves hockey,Milsteintold The Athletics AaronPortzline. He hates the busine s side of hockey. When the season starts, the focus can only be on playing. Hes going to play his best and give his best to the hockey club.

So what can the Blue Jackets do?

Their best move and really, the only move is to trade Panarin before the season starts. What options do they have, and what teams could potentially be in the mix (either for a rental Panarin or as a long-term destination)?

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Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are in Position A after signing John Tavares and giving them arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league Kendall Fuller Jerseys with he and Auston Matthews. But where the Leafs could improve is on the wing, and adding a game-breaker like Panarin should be something GM Kyle Dubas considers (even if its a one-year rental). The trouble for the Blue Jackets is, if theyre making a deal before the season, they need offensive help and its unlikely Toronto would give up one of its talented young forwards in return. Call this one unlikely.

San Jose Sharks

I like this fit for a couple of reasons: First, it seems like the type of market that would grow on Panarin, especially given their window of opportunity in San Jose never seems to close. Its also a good opportunity for the Blue Jackets to make a hockey deal with a few young forwards under contract. But theres another scenario where, because Logan Couture just signed a long-term deal of his own, the Sharks offer Columbus a futures-heavy package and take their chances signing Panarin after the season.

Florida Panthers

I dont put a whole lot of stock into the speculation that Panarin needs a beachfront property to be happy, but hey, he did recently buy one in Miami. Im kidding. But he actually did.The Panthers have a slew of young forwards who could entice the Blue Jackets.Henrik Borgstrom is a big ask, but if Washington Commanders Accessories youre confident that Florida is a team with a chance to retain Panarin, he has to be in the offer. This one seems more than plausible.Im interested to see how willing the Panthers are, and if the Blue Jackets can make it work.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are just about tapped out financially (approximately $2 million in cap space, according to Cap Friendly), so if theyre making this move, money has to be going the other way. Theyve already signed a big-name Ru sian forward this summer in Ilya Kovalchuk and bringing in Panarin would certainly be the offense upgrade that GM Rob Blake sought before the offseason began. But the acquisition cost and actual cost may be too much for the Kings even though theyre in a market that could interest Panarin.

In all likelihood, if the resolution results in the player getting what he desires, the deadline is pretty flimsy.

These are interesting and pivotal times Kamren Curl Jerseys for the Blue Jackets, who have finally gotten some traction after nearly two decades of stumbling over themselves. Their roster stacks up well in the Metropolitan Division and their core of young players is the envy of many rival clubs, but they must navigate this situation carefully.

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