Artemi Panarin has been in the United States for more than two years and his English has improved dramatically since he came here from Russia.
Panarin, a Blackhawks winger for the last two seasons, still isn't comfortable enough to give interviews without an interpreter, but he did answer one question Tuesday night in English on his own.
When asked whether he was surprised by the trade that sent him to the Blue Jackets for Brandon Saad, Panarin cracked: "This is business, baby."
Panarin did say he was "really surprised," as teammates Matiss Kivlenieks and Vitaly Abramov interpreted for him. The Hawks played the Blue Jackets in an exhibition in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday night.
"I didn't expect it," Panarin said. "But I'm glad I'm here."
One thing Panarin said the trade will enable him to do is play more with the puck, which is something he was limited in doing when he played on the same line with Patrick Kane.
Panarin said he hasn't talked to Kane since the trade.
"I can play a little bit more with the puck," Panarin said. "Just kind of express myself on the ice a little bit more."
Panarin spent two seasons with the Hawks and scored 61 goals over that time. The Hawks couldn't get out of the first round of the playoffs with Panarin and as part of large-scale changes in the offseason they dealt him for Saad. Panarin has two years left on a deal he signed last December while Saad has four years on his contract. Both are making $6 million per season.
Panarin had instant chemistry with Kane when he came to the Hawks. He's still searching for that in his new surroundings.
"We'll see how the season will go," Panarin said. "Beginning of the season maybe I'll need to make some adjustments, but I just try to find chemistry with my new partners. It's still in progress."
