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Mike Sullivan exposes ongoing talks with Artemi Panarin that may result in the end of his tenure in New York
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Following the New York Rangers game on Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche, head coach Mike Sullivan opened up on star forward's ongoing defensive issues.
Throughout Thursday night's game, Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin made a few questionable plays in the Rangers' defensive zone ultimately led the Avalanche to capitalize on their chances, and it's something fans have been starting to question and even call Panarin out on.
Why would you leave Makar alone? Panarin man is Makar. #NYR
Another turnover from 10 leads to the Avs game-tying goal.
Bad turnover, but also 3 incredible players making a hell of a play on the other end.
This is why they're the best in the league, best players being the best players.
Bad turnover, but also 3 incredible players making a hell of a play on the other end.
This is why they're the best in the league, best players being the best players.
However, following the game, head coach Mike Sullivan finally addressed this issue as he revealed that this is something he and Panarin have talked about before.
#NYR coach Mike Sullivan was asked if he needs more from Artemi Panarin defensively:
«I've had a lot of conversations with Artemi throughout the course of the season. We don't expect him to be the best defensive player out there, but everyone's required to play defense - and that's the conversation that we have. Everybody's got to be committed to play defense to a certain level or it's going to be hard for us to win consistently. And those are the conversations that I've had with him is just recognizing when those situations are when you've got to lock downEverybody knows he drives offense, he's a talented player. But I think he's also capable of defending when he's committed.»
«I've had a lot of conversations with Artemi throughout the course of the season. We don't expect him to be the best defensive player out there, but everyone's required to play defense - and that's the conversation that we have. Everybody's got to be committed to play defense to a certain level or it's going to be hard for us to win consistently. And those are the conversations that I've had with him is just recognizing when those situations are when you've got to lock downEverybody knows he drives offense, he's a talented player. But I think he's also capable of defending when he's committed.»
Artemi Panarin's future with the New York Rangers in question
Since the beginning of the season, Artemi Panarin's future with the Rangers has been in question, as he declined a team-friendly offer, along with having a very slow start to the season, as he only managed to find the back of the net two times in 14 games played, along with only tallying 5 assists.
But now with this, it just seems like there have been too many issues that keep surfacing with the 34-year-old forward, something that might have Chris Drury really question whether or not it would be in the best interest to give a struggling forward a massive contract extension.
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
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