Rangers announce MVP and Players’ Player award winners
The New York Rangers announced the winners of a pair of annual awards on Monday morning. Artemi Panarin was voted as the Rangers’ Most Valuable Player by members of the team’s media, and Jonathan Quick was named the recipient of the Players’ Player award, voted on by his teammates.
It is no surprise that Panarin was elected to be this year’s MVP. With one game remaining in the regular season, Panarin has already set career highs in goals (48) and points (118). This point total is also the second-highest in franchise history, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (123 points, 2005-06).
Panarin, who also won the award in the 2019-20 season, earned a point in 66 of 81 games this season, establishing a franchise record. He also set a career-long 15-game point streak, earned his 700th career point, and reached the 600 game mark of his NHL career. At 32 years old, it has been Panarin’s best yet.
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Rangers announce team awards
In addition to winning the award for the Rangers’ MVP, Panarin should certainly be in the conversation for the Hart Trophy, given annually to the League’s MVP. This award is given to the player who provides the most value to his team, and Panarin has done just that., While he may not win the scoring race, he does have the most individual impact. He leads the Rangers in points by a whopping 44, unlike other high point scorers around the league who have counterparts in the same boat.
The Players’ Player award is given annually to the Ranger who, “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player.” As selected by the players, there was no better choice than Quick. In what has been a resurgence for the veteran goaltender, Quick has posted a record of 18-6-2. To go along with that, he has a .911 save percentage, a 2.62 goals against average, and two shutouts.
Quick also surpassed Ryan Miller for the most wins by an American-born goaltender, earning his 392nd win on March 30. After it seemed as though his career was coming to a close, Quick signed with his childhood-favorite team and provided vintage performances throughout the season. He also brought a veteran presence to the Rangers’ locker room that has done a great deal for this team on and off the ice.
Quick also earned the nomination for the Masterton Trophy, awarded for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport of hockey. With a resurgence like his, it is no surprise that he is the Rangers’ nomination for the award.
The impact that Quick has had on the team both as a leader and in the net is what earned him the Players’ Player award. He even earned a one-year extension with the Rangers, announced on March 3. He was absolutely deserving of this, and has become an integral part of this year’s group.
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