Bantering Points: 2/23/21

Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

  • Mollie Walker noticed that the Blueshirts have come out strongly in support of Artemiy Panarin in the wake of an alleged assault charge levied against him in 2011 that came to light yesterday (NY Post)
  • Larry Brooks writes that even though the sources of the alleged Panarin story are questionable at best, the Russian superstar is still suffering consequences whether it’s true or not (NY Post)
  • Brian Abate highlighted how Panarin carried the team in his brief return to the lineup following an injury (The Hockey Writers)
  • Frank Curto relays word from David Quinn that the Rangers have no timetable on when Kaapo Kakko will be able to return to the ice after being placed on the COVID Protocol list (Empire Sports Media)
  • Media Availability: David Quinn (4:50) and Ryan Strome (3:52)/

Around the NHL:

  • Buffalo Sabres’ head coach Ralph Krueger shot down talk of Jack Eichel playing injured, saying that the team’s superstar forward needs to “persevere” through yet another miserable season in Buffalo (TSN)
  • Mike Johnston hears that former Washington Capitals’ head coach Bruce Boudreau is interested in being the first head coach in Seattle Kraken history (Sportsnet)
  • Sean Leahy caught up with former Carolina Hurricanes’ goaltender David Ayres, one year after he was pressed into duty as an emergency goaltender against the Toronto Maple Leafs (NBC Sports)
  • Sam McCaig takes a look at the active and all-time scoring leaders for each NHL franchise (The Hockey News)/