Why Artemi Panarin deserves to be the next New York Rangers’ captain

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on September 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The right choice:  Artemi Panarin

And here we are – the main focal point of this whole article.  Panarin has been everything as advertised and then some since signing with the Rangers in 2019.  And this season has been no exception.  Panarin finished the 2019-20 season as a Hart Memorial Trophy finalist with 95 points on 32 goals and 63 assists.  Panarin finished third in voting behind Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, and Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl; some elite company to be in.

Now, in 2021, Panarin is right back on pace to be back in the Hart conversation by the end of the season. Even after missing two games due to a lower body injury, Panarin is still first on the team in points with 18, first on the team in assists with 13, and tied for first in goals with five.

In the two games that Panarin missed, the Rangers were outscored by their opponents (Boston and New Jersey) 6-2.  In the two games since he has returned from injury, the Rangers have outscored their opponents (Philadelphia and Washington) 7-3.  Panarin assisted on three of those seven goals, and had the assist on Alexis Lafrenière’s second goal of the season, a goal that hopefully will get the highly-touted prospect’s season kick started.  To me, the Rangers lack of enthusiasm and scoring prowess in those two games that Panarin missed are no coincidence.  The fact that since he has been back they seem to have found their grove, it also no coincidence to me.

Remember when I said that there was only one player on this team that embodied everything that it took to make a great captain? That guy is Panarin.  He has the NHL seniority, he’s not afraid to get in the opponents face and be a pest, he’s a great teammate and mentor to the young players, and has more than enough skill to go around.  This is a completely different Rangers squad once Panarin steps onto the ice, giving 110% night in and night out, and to me, that is why he deserves to be named the next captain of the New York Rangers.

Is Zibanejad still your front runner for captain? Or do you have a dark-horse that you think should be considered? Let me know in the comments below!