Artemi Panarin has career year with MVP

Artemi Panarin was an established offensive player before he signed with the New York Rangers in 2019. He has only boosted his numbers since then and is coming off a career year going into the playoffs.

The Russian forward averaged 29 goals and 51 assists in his first four seasons with Chicago and Columbus. Since coming to New York, he’s topped 90 points every year except for the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season.

Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon had higher point totals and figure to dominate the Hart Trophy discussions for NHL MVP but Panarin is right there. He finished fifth in goals (49) and assists (71) and fourth in points (120). His goals and points were both career highs.

“Those three letters describe him very, very precise,” teammate Mika Zibanejad said. “I think he the way he takes control over games, comes up with big-time goals and big-time plays, he’s always been one of the best but he’s really — in a weird way to say — he’s taken another step and it’s awesome to see.”