Artemi Panarin

Agent: Panarin won't discuss contract until after season

Published Jan. 28, 2019 7:27 p.m. ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Artemi Panarin's agent says the star forward won't discuss a new contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets until after the season.

Dan Milstein tweeted a statement Monday saying Panarin's "priority now is to focus on the rest of the season."

Panarin will be an unrestricted free agent. The team's efforts to sign him to a multiyear extension have been unsuccessful, and he isn't sure if he wants to stay in Columbus. The team may consider trading him before the Feb. 25 deadline. Columbus entered Monday in third place in the Metropolitan Division, in line for a postseason berth.

Panarin is making $6 million this season.

The Blue Jackets also will have to make a decision about goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who also will be an unrestricted free agent and has declined to sign an extension.

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Artemi Panarin

Columbus Blue Jackets

National Hockey League