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The 28-year-old left winger spelled out on his
Twitter account when he believes wrong with the league's escrow
system, in which owners withhold money from players' paychecks
to ensure the proper revenue split is achieved by the end of the
season. Under the current collective-bargaining agreement,
players and teams each receive 50 percent of the league's
revenue.
Panarin wrote, "I am very much looking forward to the playoffs
with the New York Rangers. I have concerns not only about the
health of players and their families but also about the long
term prosperity of the NHL.
"For nearly two decades, the Players have protected the owners
income with escrow, including throughout this pandemic crisis,
even as owners' equity continues to grow exponentially. It is
time to fix the escrow. We as players cannot report to camp to
resume play without already having an agreement in place. We are
all in this together."
The escrow amount is 14 percent, according to multiple media
reports.
The New York Post reported Thursday that the NHL Players'
Association is set to vote on the league's protocols for
training camp (Phase 3 of the Return to Play outline) and the
postseason (Phase 4).
Panarin also addressed his disappointment about the NHL staging
its 24-team playoffs in two as-yet-unnamed hub cities rather
than having teams compete in their home markets. NHL training
camps are scheduled to open July 10, with the expanded
postseason due to start around July 30.
He wrote, "I know the process for selection of the Hub Cities is
ongoing. I sincerely wish that my teammates and I could train
and play games at MSG and bring employment and economic
opportunity safely back to New York City for Ranger fans and all
New Yorkers."
Panarin just completed the first season of a seven-year, $81.5
million contract he signed with the Rangers last summer, when he
left the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent. He had 32 goals
and 63 assists in 69 games during his initial season for New
York, tying for second in the NHL in assists and tying for third
in points.
The winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) in
2015-16 with the Blackhawks, Panarin played two seasons in
Chicago before playing two seasons in Columbus.
--Field Level Media
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