Hall of Famer Bure: '(Blackhawks') Panarin reminds me of myself'
Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Artemi Panarin received quite the compliment from fellow countryman and Hall of Famer Pavel Bure on Thursday.
"Panarin reminds me of myself with his size and speed," Bure said of the 24-year-old in the league's Russian-language website, as translated by NHL.com. "He managed to seamlessly integrate into a team that won the Stanley Cup only a few months ago. ... He has everything to become a star in this league."
Nicknamed the Bread Man due his name, Panarin delivered one goal and two assists in a 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The promising Russian has enjoyed playing on Chicago's vaunted second line with superstar Patrick Kane and leads all rookies in scoring with 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in as many games this season.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Panarin still has a long way to go to catch Bure. The former Vancouver Canucks star scored 437 goals and set up 342 others during his 12-year career in the NHL.
(h/t NHL.com)
