His character is completely relevant.
You have to remember though, that he would have been a 19 year old boy at the time. It's not like he was said to have curb-stomped a pre-schooler. He was probably about 155lbs and may very well not have had much of a physical advantage over a girl his age.
All I'm saying is we should refrain from spitting vitriol like this news would make him Hannibal Lecter.
I am not someone that would hit a woman. But, I'll tell you that if one was hitting me for what I thought was no good reason, I would stop her from hitting me more.

Edit: whatever. I'm really not trying to continue a debate about what is sure to be a fraudulent story. IT just bothers me when people prepare a rope and gallows for someone based on a principle that might be absolutely unfounded.
- Tonybere

You never had one of those ex's? Happened to me at a party and thankfully tons of witnesses. Just kept my hands down and as much as I would have been in my right to defend myself (and wanted to), it didn't seem very sporting.

Floyd Mayweather weighs 150lbs soaking wet and could destroy all of us at once. Panarin is not Floyd Mayweather, but as a professional athlete, is and was likely much stronger than an 18 year old girl. So if the question is COULD he do it? Yes, obviously yes he could have done it. Whether it is true is the only real question. You're arguing against no one on that point because no one is claiming they think he did it. I think the general consensus around here and probably all over is that this seems like a hit job against a dissident, but time will (hopefully) tell

I'll add that assuming this isnt true it is very troubling for Panarin and his family
- picklerick

Any way you look at this, the optics are bad. Either Panarin is ticking time bomb capable of hurting people around him (possible overstatement) or this is the first shot in what is likely to be a sustained campaign of harrassment and intimidation against Panarin and his family (and it might not stop with H&I).

Floyd Mayweather weighs 150lbs soaking wet and could destroy all of us at once. Panarin is not Floyd Mayweather, but as a professional athlete, is and was likely much stronger than an 18 year old girl. So if the question is COULD he do it? Yes, obviously yes he could have done it. Whether it is true is the only real question. You're arguing against no one on that point because no one is claiming they think he did it. I think the general consensus around here and probably all over is that this seems like a hit job against a dissident, but time will (hopefully) tell
- picklerick

I know, you’re right about Mayweather. I’m just just trying to make light of this preposterous story. I don’t need to wait for the “facts” to come out. They could not provide a single piece of evidence that would make believe this ridiculous fabrication. I don’t trust anyone associated with this hatchet job. And quite frankly, neither should anyone else.

I know, you’re right about Mayweather. I’m just just trying to make light of this preposterous story. I don’t need to wait for the “facts” to come out. They could not provide a single piece of evidence that would make believe this ridiculous fabrication. I don’t trust anyone associated with this hatchet job. And quite frankly, neither should anyone else.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Holy poop i did not expect a reasonable response. Appreciated. But i will add if, say security footage came out, that would be evidence that would change my mind. You can't just make a blanket statement that nothing in the world could change your mind. That goes for life in general my dude

You guys are hilarious. Have you seen Panarin out of uniform? He may be a great play maker, but he couldn’t hurt a fly with a punch. I can only imagine what he looked like 10 years ago.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Captn has entered the convo in 3....2....1.....

You never had one of those ex's? Happened to me at a party and thankfully tons of witnesses. Just kept my hands down and as much as I would have been in my right to defend myself (and wanted to), it didn't seem very sporting.
- mdw7413

That was JRR in a wig...so you could have defended yourself

Captn has entered the convo in 3....2....1.....
- TPC

Who you kidding, thats still way to old

That was JRR in a wig...so you could have defended yourself
- TPC

JRR probably identified as a girl at the time, you know, because of his tits.

Who you kidding, thats still way to old
- mdw7413

for some reason i thought it said 10 years old at first

JRR probably identified as a girl at the time, you know, because of his tits.
- mdw7413

for some reason i thought it said 10 years old at first
- TPC

Still too old

You never had one of those ex's? Happened to me at a party and thankfully tons of witnesses. Just kept my hands down and as much as I would have been in my right to defend myself (and wanted to), it didn't seem very sporting.
- mdw7413

No, I didn't ever have one of those ex's.
Maybe it's because I have trained dozens of people in Kung Fu. Almost as many women as men. Many of the women stuck around long enough to become quite capable fighters. So, I don't tend to think of women as helpless in a fight.
I have never started a fight, or entered one I could walk away from. All my students were trained in the same mentality. But, in my opinion, if someone crosses the line and resorts to physical violence, they should not be exempt from receiving it back in kind. Male or female doesn't make a difference if you are being attacked.
Not advocating anything here. Including accepting the possibility of debilitating injury, just to be chivalrous.
That was the only point I've been trying to make. Again, really seems to not be the case.

Holy poop i did not expect a reasonable response. Appreciated. But i will add if, say security footage came out, that would be evidence that would change my mind. You can't just make a blanket statement that nothing in the world could change your mind. That goes for life in general my dude
- picklerick

I think you need to some research on just who he’s dealing with. If he’s to blame for anything, he should have kept his mouth shut about his opposition to Putin. His loyalty should belong to his teammates and the New York Rangers organization. If he wants to rum for office, he can do so when he retires.

I think we should let deangelo play , at least he hit a guy
- mattstake

Wrong on so many levels, but it nearly made me spit up my tea.

I think you need to some research on just who he’s dealing with. If he’s to blame for anything, he should have kept his mouth shut about his opposition to Putin. His locality should belong to his teammates and the New York Rangers organization. If he wants to rum for office, he can do so when he retires.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

That has nothing to do with the point i made but I don't really subscribe to the idea that just because someone is an athlete, comedian, actor, whatever they shouldn't be allowed to comment on certain things. We can and do, what makes them different? But just because i believe they should be able to talk about what they want to that there can't be consequences. Does he regret saying what he said? Maybe. Probably if he's worried about his family. But maybe he would regret not speaking out one day. Who knows.

I think in terms of the whether this is likely true or not we agree. All the other stuff is noise

First Voynov, now Panarin. I wonder if GMs will think twice about drafting Russians or paying them big money. Who is next?

First Voynov, now Panarin. I wonder if GMs will think twice about drafting Russians or paying them big money. Who is next?
- Kooleus

First Voynov, now Panarin. I wonder if GMs will think twice about drafting Russians or paying them big money. Who is next?
- Kooleus

Your trolling is boring and unfunny.

Your trolling is boring and unfunny.
- Not_Yan

Just bonk him anytime he talks

This is like an expose’ from the Star or Enquirer. BAT BOY LIVES!

I think people are jumping the gun a bit with throwing this situation into the cancel culture stuff, it's not there yet anyway

I just have a feeling this whole thing is gonna blow over quickly and he'll be back shortly

Brukie, shut the (frank) up.
- JRR1285

On your best day, you couldn't!!

I think people are jumping the gun a bit with throwing this situation into the cancel culture stuff, it's not there yet anyway

I just have a feeling this whole thing is gonna blow over quickly and he'll be back shortly
- jimbro83

Usually "leave of absence" doesn't end shortly though

That has nothing to do with the point i made but I don't really subscribe to the idea that just because someone is an athlete, comedian, actor, whatever they shouldn't be allowed to comment on certain things. We can and do, what makes them different? But just because i believe they should be able to talk about what they want to that there can't be consequences. Does he regret saying what he said? Maybe. Probably if he's worried about his family. But maybe he would regret not speaking out one day. Who knows.

I think in terms of the whether this is likely true or not we agree. All the other stuff is noise
- picklerick

Part of being a professional athlete is to not be a distraction to your team and teammates. I don't recall the Rangers ever having to issue a press release like this due to any other players support of a political candidate. Whether this comes out to be 100% fabricated (most likely) or not if he had just stayed off social media like other players have been asked to, none of this happens.

Part of being a professional athlete is to not be a distraction to your team and teammates. I don't recall the Rangers ever having to issue a press release like this due to any other players support of a political candidate. Whether this comes out to be 100% fabricated (most likely) or not if he had just stayed off social media like other players have been asked to, none of this happens.
- newenglandpuck

Like I said, they can say what they wish but may face consequences if they do so