from Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch,
The Blue Jackets gained 20 assists this weekend. That is no small thing. It is just what they were looking for, and they got it in the form of Artemi Panarin, who may be the most gifted forward to ever pull on a Union Blue jersey.
OK, there was Sergei Fedorov — but he was 35 when he washed up on the shores of the Scioto. And there was Rick Nash, and we can argue about that. It’s a good argument to have right now. Panarin is 25. He was acquired Friday in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is a left wing with elite-level creativity, vision, puck-handling skills and shooting ability.
The Jackets gave up Brandon Saad and prospect goaltender Anton Forsberg in the deal. They exchanged draft picks. They also acquired a bottom-six center in Tyler Motte....
“Look at our series against Pittsburgh,” Tortorella told The Dispatch. “I thought we outplayed Pittsburgh quite a few minutes in that series, but for us to score a goal it took seven or eight chances. Pittsburgh goes down the ice, they make something out of nothing and it’s in the back of our net. That’s what this guy (Panarin) can do. That’s where this changes us. It’s another level offensively for our team.”
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