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New York Rangers: Five reasons to be encouraged by the Panarin signing

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets reacts after scoring his third goal of the game in the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 20: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets reacts after scoring his third goal of the game in the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Reason # 2 – He’s younger

Artemi Panarin will be 27 years old when the season starts.   The  biggest stars the Rangers have thrown money at were all older than that.  Arguably, the most successful free agent signed in the recent past by the Rangers was Marian Gaborik who was also 27.

Here are the ages of the most prominent free agents signed by the Blueshirts.

  • 28:  Scott Gomez
  • 29: Kevin Shattenkirk
  • 30: Mike Keane
  • 31: Brad Richards, Theo Fleury, Stephane Quintal, Wade Redden, Chris Drury
  • 32: Bobby Holik
  • 33: Michael Nylander
  • 34: Brian Skrudland, Aaron Ward
  • 36: Wayne Gretzky
  • 37: Guy Lafleur
  • 38:  Dan Boyle

When Gaborik joined the team there was steady improvement that culminated in a first place finish in 2012.  Anders Hedberg was 27 and Ulf Nilsson 28 when they joined the Rangers and they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year.

Age matters and Panarin’s best days are ahead of him.  Hey, Panarin chose to wear number 10, same as Marian Gaborik.

Reason # 3 –  No plan B

The Panarin signing fits right into the rebuilding plan the Rangers have in place.  Sure, it accelerates it, but  the fact is it isn’t a radical left turn, it’s another piece in the puzzle. If Panarin  had chosen to go elsewhere, the Rangers weren’t going to react by throwing boatloads of cash at a lesser option.

It is clear that Davidson and Gorton have a plan and are following it and will not deviate from the path that they have chosen.  They signed Panarin because he fits right in.

Reason #4 – No hype

How many times have Ranger fans heard the words: “the final piece of the Stanley Cup puzzle?”  That’s how Bobby Holik, Theo Fleury, Scott Gomez and numerous others were described. You are hearing no such words about Panarin.

He’s not the messiah, brought in to lead the Rangers out of the darkness to the promised land. He is an elite hockey player who will radically improve the Rangers’ offense.

A side benefit of the whoe rebuild process is that the fans have bought into a process and are willing to suffer the consequences.  If the Ranger don’t make the playoffs this year, there won’t be dispair and angst, there will be shoulders shrugged and a debate on who the Rangers will select in the Entry Draft.  Sure, Henrik Lundqvist’s career is winding down and everyone will want to see him go out on top, but there is no hype about this team.

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