Starting the season off on a high note, Artemi Panarin has essentially been the quarterback of the New York Rangers’ offense through the first 12 games of the season. He leads the team in points, with 16 (consisting of five goals and 11 assists). Panarin headlines the powerplay and is among the league leaders in “goals created,” an advanced statistic used to measure a player’s skill in creating offensive opportunities for his team. His fast and impressive start is nothing new, as he’s been producing at an above point-per-game average for the past five years. He is one of a handful of truly elite players in the league and a major factor in the Rangers’ push for their first Stanley Cup in 29 years.

After going undrafted, Panarin signed an entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 at 24 years old. In his rookie year, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the league’s rookie of the year, after scoring an astounding 77 points in 80 games. After just two years in Chicago, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets where he continued to improve. In his two seasons there, he scored 169 points in just 160 games.

In the 2019 offseason, Panarin signed a seven year contract that would earn him over $81.5 million.
Panarin lived up to his contract immediately, scoring a then-career-high 95 points in only 69 games in his first season with the team. His performance that season landed him in third place for the Hart Trophy, the league’s most valuable player accolade. He beat his career high by one point last season, leading the Rangers to their first non-expanded playoff berth since 2017. In each of his first three seasons with the team, he finished top 10 in the assist leaderboard, proving his value to the team as one of the most proficient and consistent offensive players in the NHL.

After losing his long-time linemate Ryan Strome this past offseason, the Rangers immediately found Panarin a replacement center. Vincent Trocheck joined him on the second line and has made his presence known early and often. In addition to the second line, Trocheck accompanies Panarin on the powerplay in the center/right wing role that Strome played last season. Through 12 games, Trocheck is on a 0.75 point-per-game pace, a faster start than his 0.63 point per game last season, and it’s safe to say that Panarin is a big factor in his overall improvement.

His linemate, Alexis Lafrenière, has seen drastic improvement in his game. Though he has only logged five points through 12 games, the amount of offensive chances he’s had has skyrocketed to begin the season. Panarin’s playmaking ability seems to lift up the rest of the team, and his presence on the ice is felt even when he’s not scoring points.

Panarin leads the team in points, but not the league. He’s cooled down after his 12 points in the first six games but continues to put up multi-point performances.

Affectionately known as “bread-man” by Rangers fans, Panarin continues to selflessly create chances for himself and his teammates and is well on his way to having a Hart Trophy-caliber season for the first time in his career.