Rumor: Artemi Panarin is done in Columbus and likely will sign in Florida

The Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and now face a slew of questions going into this offseason. Winger Artemi Panarin is an unrestricted free-agent and will be one of the biggest names on the market. It appears his days in Columbus could be over.

There have been several reports out of Columbus and out of Florida that new Panthers' head coach Joel Quenneville and Panthers GM Dale Tallon will be calling Panarin at 12:01am July 1st, as they would love to be reunited with the one time Blackhawk, who they both had a huge factor in signing him from Russia in the first place. The Panthers have some cap space to work with and have been linked all season to Panarin's services. 

Blue Jackets' GM Jarmo Kekalainen on the other hand was asked about his pending big name free agents after his team was bounced by the Bruins and he had this to say:

I want players here who love to be Columbus Blue Jackets and want to play here and love this city. 

Circle back to February when Columbus reporters asked Panarin near the trade deadline what his offseason plan was:

I want to test free agency. There is still a chance for Columbus but I want to see if there are better options out there.

Joel Quenneville and Dale Tallon certainly feel there are better options for Panarin and will be ready to go come July 1st.