Artemi Panarin should win the Hart Trophy. Here’s why.
No player proved more valuable to his team than Artemi Panarin to the New York Rangers in 2019-20.
No player in the NHL transformed his team from playoff observers to contenders as Panarin did.
No player elevated the play of teammates like Panarin did.
No player deserves the Hart Trophy more than Panarin does.
“The Bread Man” clearly matches the NHL’s definition of the Hart as an annual award given “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team” as chosen by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in all NHL cities.
Panarin joined the Rangers last July after signing a seven-year contract for a reported $81.5 million. So far, he’s been worth every cent.
Through 70 games before the NHL paused on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he notched 32 goals and 63 assists for 95 points. His points total was third-most in the NHL (tied with Boston Bruins’ forward David Pastrnak); his assists tally was second-highest (tied with Edmonton Oilers’ standout Connor McDavid).
Yet, more than any other player, Panarin’s been all “Hart.”
He deserves to become the fifth Rangers’ player, and first since Mark Messier in 1992, to win the award.
Here’s why.