Rangers Daily: Appreciating Artemi Panarin; Blue Jackets fire coach
This may seem like an odd moment to praise Artemi Panarin and urge others to appreciate him as the greatest free-agent signing in New York Rangers history. After all, the Rangers are on life support, and their top offensive player didn’t exactly stand out Monday in a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.
In fact, it was an all-around rough night for Panarin. He logged more ice time (21:18) than any other Rangers forward not named Vincent Trocheck, and simply didn’t get a whole heck of a lot done out there. He simply wasn’t very noticeable, managing a single shot on goal on his five attempts.
And when the Rangers desperately needed him to come through on a power play, down by one, late third period, he had nothing. In the final minute, with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker and still down by one, Panarin had a great look, but his left-wing blast couldn’t have missed the net more had he tried to do so.
But Panarin did assist on Mike Zibanejad’s game-opening goal, to become the ninth player to record 600 points in Rangers history. None of the eight ahead of Panarin on that list did so in fewer games than the Breadman, who needed just 476 games to reach 600 points wearing the Blueshirt.
He should catch Ron Greschner (610 points; eighth place) on the all-time list this season. That is, of course, if he isn’t traded before recording another 10 points. In the final year of his contract, and with this season quickly swirling down the drain, Panarin is a big-time asset that general manager Chris Drury must try to cash in.
An NHL roster freeze takes effect during the Olympic break in February. And then shortly thereafter, the March 6 NHL trade deadline arrives. It’s really difficult to imagine Panarin finishing out the season with the Rangers.
Yes, Panarin has a full no-move clause and given no indication he wants to leave New York before his contract is up. And perhaps the Rangers and Panarin can work out an extension that keeps him on Broadway past this wretched. But he’s not getting any younger (34), and the Rangers aren’t getting any better, so dissolving this union feels like the best course for each side.
If these are his final days and games with the Rangers, we should appreciate Panarin’s greatness. He’s led the Rangers in scoring each of his seven seasons with them. And since 2019-20, only four players in the League have more points than his 600. They are Connor McDavid (790), Leon Draisaitl (708), Nathan MacKinnon (694), and David Pastrnak (604). That sounds like Hall-of-Fame company Panarin’s keeping.
You can question his style of play and reduced production in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You cannot question his elite level of greatness, nor his standing in Rangers history.
Enjoy him while we can.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here are the key Rangers takeaways from that 4-2 loss to the Kraken at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
Boy, the Rangers sure looked lost afterward, struggling to find answers for their latest loss. Our John Kreiser breaks down the postgame reactions.
Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren had mostly really good things to say about their respective time with the Rangers, ahead of their first game back at MSG after the Blueshirts traded each player away last season.
Already off to a poor start this week, the Rangers have important upcoming games scheduled against Eastern Conference opponents before the week is over.
Sportsnet: Former Rangers bench boss Gerard Gallant stepped down as coach of the Shanghai Dragons in the KHL due to health reasons.
NHL news and rumors
The Athletic ($$): Aaron Portzline analyzes why the Columbus Blue Jackets fired coach Dean Evason at this point of the season, and replaced him with Rick Bowness.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Amid trade rumors and recent healthy scratch, Dougie Hamilton played a helluva game Monday, helping the Devils skate past the Minnesota Wild 5-2.
Philly Hockey Now: William James breaks down the trade market for Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
Daily Faceoff: Reports surfaced that Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson won’t return from his lower-body injury after the Olympic break in late February, and there’s a chance his season could be over if he requires surgery.
Sportsnet: Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube stated that injured goalie Anthony Stolarz may return before the Olympic break. Stolarz last played Nov. 11, when he sustained an upper-body injury.
TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point sustained a lower-body injury and left their 5-1 road win over the Flyers in the second period.
Sportsnet: The Detroit Red Wings retired Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91, a well-deserved and long overdue honor.
Detroit Hockey Now: Bob Duff has more on the timing of Fedorov’s jersey retirement in Detroit.
