Columbus' GM provided some insight on the Artemi Panarin situation going forward

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in a precarious situation as the trade deadline approaches.  Sitting in third place in the Metropolitan, the Blue Jackets have a team capable of making some noise in the playoffs.

They also have the future to worry about with two of their best players, Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky, set to become UFAs at the end of the season.  On Monday, Panarin's agent made it clear that talk about his client's future will take place after the season.  Tuesday, Columbus' GM responded to the new development.

It's a lose-lose situation in some respects because trading one of Panarin or Bobrovsky before the deadline wouldn't help the Blue Jackets win now, but holding on to both players and getting nothing in return if they walk this summer isn't good for the future.

All eyes will be on Columbus as the deadline approaches and it will be fascinating to see what hard decisions will be made.