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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for best player on the New York Rangers.
Todd Cordell
Artemi Panarin.
Panarin has been dynamite since the first day he entered the league, however, he reached new heights this season with the Rangers.
Panarin amassed 95 points in 69 games prior to the pause. He led the NHL in points (59) and slotted 2nd to Nathan MacKinnon in primary assists (22) at 5v5, where he was absolutely dominant.
The Rangers controlled a 66.37% share of the goals, out-scoring opponents 75-38, with Panarin on the ice in that game state. Plus-37!
For perspective of how absurd that is, the No. 1 seeded Boston Bruins have a 57.32 GF% at 5v5 and out-scored opponents by 36. Put another way, with Panarin on the ice the Rangers were a more successful team than the Presidents Trophy winners-to-be.
I think Panarin has a case for the Hart so, therefore, he’s the top dog on the Rangers.
Sean Maloughney
Clearly the correct answer is Artemi Panarin. Panarin had a Hart nomination worthy season (he won't win because Draisaitl is better) and led the team in points with 95. Panarin averaged the third most minutes at even strength of any player on the Rangers roster. He produced the most even strength goals, assists, and led the team in shots with 209. Panarin is an absolute beast and it's shocking he keeps getting traded.
As an honorable mention I want to talk a bit about Mika Zibanejad and also how awful the Ottawa Senators are. A few years ago, the Senators traded the then 23 year old Zibanejad for the 28 year old Brassard. Brassard was since traded by the Senators and has been on four teams since.
Meanwhile Zibanejad has recorded his second consecuative 70+ point season, scoring 41 goals through 57 games. Mika is 5th in the league in goals, despite playing at least 14 fewer games than every name above him. His 15 powerplay goals are also third in the entire league and while Panarin led the team in shots with 209, Zibanejad was second with 208 in 12 fewer games.
Zibanejad is running a 19.7SH% (his average is 10.9) and a slightly high PDO of 101.6 but regardless Zibanejad has evolved into a dynamic and dominant player while Brassard is a good third liner.
Nice move Ottawa.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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