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Former Blackhawk Artemi Panarin Makes His Feelings Known About the Exclusion of Russia from Four Nations
Photo credit: New York Times
Thanks to the IIHF, and geopolitics Russia has been excluded from international play for years, and now NHL Superstar Artemi Panarin has opened up about the topic.
The Four Nations Face-Off tournament has begun with an exciting, high-event hockey game between Team Canada, and Sweden.
The match would go into overtime, and Canada would in one fell swoop beat Sweden 4-3.
With international hockey taking stage one NHL superstar has decided to speak out in regards to his country's exclusion from the world's eyes.
Thanks to ongoing conflicts, Russian superstar Artemi Panarin was unhappy with how it's all played out in the last few years.
«It's pretty sad, cause you always want to play international tournaments and represent your country.»
«It's just sad, but we can't do anything. One thing I know is that most of the players probably want us to be able to play in these events. I know players are not against that.»
«It's just sad, but we can't do anything. One thing I know is that most of the players probably want us to be able to play in these events. I know players are not against that.»
Due to circumstances beyond their control, Russian players won't be able to suit up to play for either the IIHF World tournaments or the international tournaments run by the NHL in compliance with legal rulings.
Fans are missing out on players like Igor Shesterkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, and Alex Ovechkin suiting up in the Russian colors we've seen before.
A best-on-best tournament without players of this caliber is truly a farce.
That's not to say that none of the four teams involved in the current tourney are farcical, but the concept is lacking high-end talent from places like Russia, Slovakia, Czechia, and elsewhere.
Artemi Panarin has been one of the Rangers' best players this season. He has scored 57 points( 23 G, 34 A) and will not be seen on the same ice as some of his teammates, like JT Miller, or Vinnie Trocheck.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 13 | 104 ANSWERS Former Blackhawk Artemi Panarin Makes His Feelings Known About the Exclusion of Russia from Four Nations Do you think forward Artemi Panarin, a New York Ranger should be competing in the Four Nations Face-Off? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 58.7 % |
| No | 43 | 41.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
