Eddie Olczyk on Artemi Panarin, the Olympics, and Anze Kopitar
With the Men’s Olympic Hockey tournament rapidly approaching, we had the pleasure of hosting Eddie Olczyk on the latest episode of The Insider Show. Olczyk, a seasoned television analyst for his fifth Olympics, provided a comprehensive overview of the upcoming tournament and shared his thoughts on the Los Angeles Kings following their recent acquisition of Artemi Panarin.
You can catch Olczyk’s commentary on NBC Sports throughout the Olympics, and he also contributes to TNT and the Seattle Kraken during the regular NHL season. He even has a history with the Kings, having played for the team during the 1996-97 season. He’ll be present at Crypto.com Arena with TNT for the Kings’ first game back from the break against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, February 25th at 7 p.m., a game expected to mark Artemi Panarin’s debut with the team.
Artemi Panarin: A Perfect Fit for the Kings?
Olczyk believes Panarin is an excellent addition to the Kings’ roster. “I think a really good fit for Kenny Holland and the Kings,” he stated. “They definitely need a facilitator and a generator of offense, and the ‘Bread Man,’ who I got to know well in Chicago, had unbelievable chemistry with Patrick Kane. He’s a point-per-game player, and you have to scheme for him. He’ll open up ice for everyone, regardless of the situation.”
Olczyk emphasized Panarin’s elite skill level, noting, “He’s as elite as there is in the entire National Hockey League, and he held all the cards.” He also highlighted the positive implications of Panarin signing an extension with the Kings, suggesting it could allow General Manager Kenny Holland to make further moves in the future.
Panarin’s Lineup: Who Will Be His Center?
A key question surrounding Panarin’s arrival is his center. Olczyk pondered, “There is no doubt about it, [Panarin] will be able to generate and create, it’s whether or not the guys can finish or not, down the road.” He specifically questioned whether Quinton Byfield possesses the necessary “cerebral” and “instinctive” qualities to effectively play alongside a player like Panarin.
Olczyk drew a comparison to players like Zach Hyman, who have thrived playing with elite centers like Connor McDavid and Austin Matthews. He cautioned that playing with such talent requires a high level of hockey IQ and the ability to anticipate plays. “Is Quinton Byfield the guy that the Bread Man can be paired with moving forward? I’m sure he’ll get every opportunity, but I think that will be a huge question mark.”
Team USA’s Olympic Aspirations
Olczyk, a proud alumnus of Team USA (having played in the 1984 Olympics), expressed strong support for the team’s chances in the upcoming tournament. “I bleed red, white, and blue when we get to this time of year,” he confessed. While acknowledging the need for objective analysis on air, he admitted his internal desire to see Team USA win its first Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980.
He believes Canada and the US are the frontrunners, but emphasized the single-elimination format’s potential for upsets. Olczyk praised USA Hockey for closing the talent gap and depth, acknowledging the difficult decisions made during roster selection. “My expectations for Team USA is absolutely the Gold Medal Game. Anything less than that would be a disappointment.”
A Tribute to Anze Kopitar
Olczyk concluded with high praise for Anze Kopitar, who is playing his 20th and final NHL season with the Kings. “On my Mount Rushmore of people that I’ve come across in this game, Anze Kopitar is as pure and as classy and respectful as any person I’ve been around in the National Hockey League.” He lauded Kopitar’s character and contributions to the Kings organization, urging Kings fans to appreciate his legacy.
You can view the full episode of The Insider Show on the Kings YouTube channel and listen to it on any podcast platform. Learn more about the LA Kings here.
