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Is Artemi Panarin the best free agent signing in New York Rangers history?

By Justin Bonhard

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a Ranger goal against Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a Ranger goal against Vitek Vanecek #41 of the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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In the 94-year history of the New York Rangers, there have been plenty of stars that have chosen to take their talents to Broadway. Adam Graves, Marian Gaborik, and Brad Richards are some of the more memorable ones. But, how about the signing of Artemi Panarin?

Is it the best signing in Rangers’ history? Let’s take a look.

Acquiring Panarin at an unlikely time

The “Letter” was published on February 8, 2018, and the world knew that this team was going to tear it all down and build it back up with new personnel, on and off the ice. They were true to their word and today, there are only six players left from the team when the rebuild was announced.

With that said, the signing of Panarin was unlikely as ever. The Rangers had just finished their first season under then, head coach David Quinn, and the first year of the rebuild.

At that time, the Rangers finished the 2018-19 season with a 32-36-14 record. The team had just selected Kaapo Kakko with the second overall selection of the 2019 NHL entry draft, and key pieces like Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes were traded away during the season at the trade deadline.

The forward unit did not look anything close to a playoff contender. Panarin came to New York with limited resources around him, and with time and exceptional drafting, the offensive output is there. Alongside Panarin, winger Chris Kreider’s experience and leadership has been very beneficial to Kakko, and the first-overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Alexis Lafrenière.

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