<a href="https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/24664/artemi-panarin" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Artemi Panarin</a>&nbsp;will be taking a leave of absence from the New York Rangers after a political hit piece was published against him from Russia.According to a statement released by the Rangers, Panarin "vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story."
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/VcOJ4BqMHm">pic.twitter.com/VcOJ4BqMHm</a>— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers/status/1363888733637005314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2021</a></blockquote>Larry Brooks of the New York Post first reported the story. 
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Breaking news: Panarin is taking a leave of absence from NYR in aftermath of political hit piece against him from Russia alleging that he beat up an 18-year-old girl in Russia in 2011.— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYP_Brooksie/status/1363869876562059276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
The story alleges that he beat up an 18-year-old girl in Russia in 2011. Panarin is the leading scorer for the Rangers this season. He has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 14 games.&nbsp;
This is a developing story.

New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin to take leave of absence