CAMP NOTES: Panarin dealing with neck strain, Abramov cleared for contact

During his media huddle to start training camp Thursday, Artemi Panarin said the knee injury he sustained against the Washington Capitals in the playoffs is fully healed.
In fact, by his math, it's better than 100 percent.
"One-twenty," he said, when asked about the injury.
Friday, however, another part of Panarin's body - a strained neck - kept him off the ice during the Blue Jackets' annual skate testing at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. Panarin is day-to-day, isn't expected to participate in scrimmages this weekend and will be limited in the early stages of training camp.

"He strained his neck," coach John Tortorella said. "It's better today. I saw him earlier Friday] morning. I can't give you a time. He's very limited right now, but it's on the right side [of healing]. He's getting better each day. So, we've just got to wait and see."
As for the missed skate test?
"Oh, he'll get the testing," Tortorella said, smiling. "We'll get the testing done. We can always find time for the testing."
[VISIT BLUE JACKETS TRAINING CAMP CENTRAL 2018
NEWS AND NOTES
-- Last year, issues with his work visa caused center Alex Wennberg to miss the annual two-mile, 12-minute run test to start training camp. This year, he arrived in time to start camp like everybody else. That included the run test, in which players try to run two miles in 12 minutes or less.
Wennberg excelled in the test two years ago and apparently performed well again.
"I do a little bit of running, but I mean, I let the time speak for itself," Wennberg said, prior to his group's run. "Obviously, you can't go full speed in the beginning. You've got to pace yourself. There's no tactic, really. You just go out there and do your best. For me, I've just got to put some music in the headphones and just … cruise control."
Partly because of multiple injuries, Wennberg's offensive game dropped off last season. This year, his goal is to push his totals back up.
"Obviously, I can stand here and blame it on the injuries and stuff, and it affected my game for sure," Wennberg said. "I'm not going to say exactly what [the injury] was, but right now there's nothing I can do about it. Obviously, I wanted to have a better year - but for me this is a good opportunity to show what a good player I am. So, instead of looking back and being disappointed, I just look forward and make the best out of it."
-- Rookie forward Vitaly Abramov looked good during the skate test Friday, zipping around the oval course with good speed. After missing the annual NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City with a healing wrist injury, Abramov is now ready to impress in camp.
He's been cleared for contact in practices and can play in preseason games.
-- Not all Blue Jackets players did the run test. Some did the equivalency on a stationary bike, riding nearly all-out for 12 minutes. Defenseman Zach Werenski and veteran center Brandon Dubinsky were among them and both were pleased with how they did.
Tortorella said Dubinsky's testing numbers, particularly, had improved significantly from last season.
"He looks good," Tortorella said. "His numbers are good. I only talked to him for a few seconds here and there, but his attitude looks good. So, first step."
-- Rookie forward Kole Sherwood, who grew up in New Albany, got pretty close to the 12-minute mark in the two-mile run Thursday. Sherwood, who's 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, said he finished the two miles in 12 minutes, 15 seconds.
That's an impressive time, especially considering his dislike for distance running.
"I didn't run once all summer," Sherwood said. "I'm not big on long-distance running with my trainer, so we do a lot of short stuff. I trusted my training and I did pretty well on it. I ran a little bit here, before [development camp], just to get back in shape, but I didn't run once after that. I got like 15 seconds over. I just trusted my training. I knew I'd be alright."
-- Being one of the newcomers, center Riley Nash is experiencing some firsts already as a Blue Jacket. This is his first taste of a Tortorella training camp, which are known to be tough, but Nash said he's gotten through the first two days feeling good about his testing numbers.
"It went alright [running]," said Nash, who's from Western Canada. "It was a little hot, a little humid. Being a West Coast guy, you're not used to the humidity. So, it was a little hot, a little steamy out there … but we got it done."
It might not have been pretty, though.
"If there was a runner up there in the stands watching us, I don't think he'd be too impressed with our strides, but sometimes it's will over way," Nash said. "Some guys are naturally good runners and other guys struggle with running. I'm kind of in-between. Fortunately, I survived."
He's making strides in the locker room, as well, getting to know his new teammates after spending the past two seasons with the Boston Bruins.
"I have kind of a sarcastic personality, so people need to warm up to it or whatever," Nash said, smiling. "It takes a little longer, but it's been good. Everybody in the room's been great, from the top down, the leaders in the room."
Now, Nash is looking forward to experiencing another first.
"Having the cannon finally go off in our favor and not being scared by it," he said. "It'll be nice to actually know when it's going to go off, and hopefully I'll put a couple in the back of the net. The biggest one is at the start of the game, when you're just coming out. You don't expect it at all [as a visiting player]. I've jumped a little bit."