Andrei Nazarov doubles-down on Panarin story even after former teammate says nothing happened

Apparently Andrei Nazarov is not giving up on his allegations against New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin despite many coming forward, including a former teammate who was with Panarin the night in question, saying nothing happened. In a report Wednesday, Panarin's friend and former teammate Mikhail Anisin recounted details on the night in 2011 that Nazarov is alleging Panarin beat up an 18-year-old girl.

"Artemi slightly pushed one of the girls away. And I'm not even sure that happened," said Anisin. "But there were definitely no blows, let alone a broken face."

Nazarov appears to be livid that his story is being dismissed by Anisin.

"So read this interview carefully - Anisin confirmed everything. There was an incident, the police came. What else is there to talk about? I didn't lie, I didn't deceive anyone. He told the truth," said Nazarov. "And I don't think I distorted the situation. Anisin tells you that Panarin attacked the girl."

That isn't what Anisin said at all, but Nazarov, who played a total of 571 games in the NHL for several teams, just won't quit.

"I don't understand why you all shield Panarin ... And, you know, I have already said everything on this topic, I don't want to promote it anymore. What will I tell Panarin if I happen to meet him? We will not meet. I will do my best not to intersect with Panarin. I don't like him," said Nazarov.

Without any alleged victim coming forward or anything of any substance to corroborate Nazarov's claim, many feel this is an attempt to curry favour with Russian officials after Panarin spoke out several times about President Vladimir Putin and his treatment of Russian citizens. Nazarov is a staunch Putin supporter who has been described by several reporters as being "mentally unstable." He once suggested that TJ Galiardi would be jailed if he ever returned to Russia after Galiardi went on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast and spoke negatively about playing in Russia and under Nazarov.

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