Is it possible – is it even remotely possible – that the Seattle Kraken lost out on Artemi Panarin because of their… uniforms?
It is possible, depending on how seriously you take The Breadman’s recent Russian-language interview.
If you’ll recall, the “retooling” New York Rangers decided to trade Panarin rather than try to re-sign the pending free agent. With a no-trade clause in his contract, the four-time All Star had control over where he’d land.
The Kraken, looking for a scorer and a big name, saw both in the 34-year-old native of Korkino, Russia. “Panarin turned down a four-year contract offer with a cap hit higher than $14 million from the Seattle Kraken before accepting a trade to the Los Angeles Kings,” reported TheScore.com in February.
The head-scratching part is that he signed a two-year, $22 million extension with the Kings, less term and millions less dollars than what Seattle had offered.
Kraken Weren’t Close, Because Of Their Clothes
Panarin didn’t specifically mention the Kraken in a recent interview with Russian sports channel Match! TV. But you can read between the lines of what he did say about L.A.
“It’s a good team, because it’s a top-tier brand. I like playing for teams with a ‘name.'”
For the record, each time the forward has had a choice, he’s signed in one of the three largest cities in the U.S.: Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. (He had no say in an early-career trade to Columbus.)
And the Kings’ togs? “Their jerseys are stunning! I really do care about the jerseys. Like, there have been teams whose colors I’m just allergic to. I wouldn’t even consider them just because of that. I don’t know – I just have that hang-up.”
No doubt Seattle could have used the 11-year NHL vet and his 330 career goals. But Panarin chose the black and silver of the Kings. Perhaps the Kraken’s fatal flaw in recruiting him was failing to mention they were rolling out their own black “Abyss” jerseys – and those had glow-in-the-dark elements.
Should’a tried that on for size, Artemi.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken’s Newest Coach Has One Goal: More Goals
