Artemi Panarin out to prove himself without Patrick Kane by his side

In his first two NHL seasons, former Blackhawks winger Artemi Panarin scored a combined 61 goals. But there was on criticism Panarin heard despite his accomplishments — he was only playing well because he was playing with Patrick Kane.

“Throughout my career, including Russia in my very last season, people always say I am playing because of somebody else,” Panarin said Wednesday according to NHL.com. “Nobody remembers how I played prior to the last couple of years. I am used to it and I am not paying attention to it. I get a little bit angry at it.”

Panarin will have a chance to show just how good he is with his new team, the Blue Jackets, after the Hawks traded him in a multiplayer deal that brought Brandon Saad back to Chicago.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen came to Panarin’s defense.

“It should be noted that Patrick Kane had a couple of his best seasons of his career too playing with Artemi, so it goes both ways,” Kekalainen said.

Kekalainen said the Blue Jackets made the deal to get Panarin in part because of their difficult scoring during their playoff loss to the Penguins. The Blue Jackets wanted a player who was good at finishing goals and Panarin fit what they were seeking.

Panarin said he was ready for new challenges with the Blue Jackets.

“I played with world-class players in Chicago,” Panarin said. “I learned a lot from them and coming here I have to be psychologically and mentally stronger.

chine@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @ChristopherHine

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