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3 New York Rangers surpassing expectations early in the season

By Conor Power

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Zac Jones #6 of the New York Rangers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Zac Jones #6 of the New York Rangers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on October 23, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Artemi Panarin

In order to be a good team, the best players on a roster have to be the best players on the ice. If the game was played on paper, that would be no fun for anyone. For the Rangers, its best player has been the best player on the ice. Artemi Panarin has been every part of the player the NHL knows he can be. His hot start to the season was the one thing that continued during the Rangers’ rough patch in the middle of the month.

Through 12 games, Panarin has tallied 16 points made up of 5 goals and 11 assists. Panarin has been one of the stronger members of the roster to start the year. Artemi Panarin has been one of the more consistent members on the roster. His point streak to being the year was unreal and he was a large reason the Rangers were as good as they were in the first week of the year.

Panarin was always going to have lofty expectations thrown upon him due to his large contract and the pedigree he has had in previous years. With the awful start to last season Panarin had, a big start to this season was going to be a major thing for the Korkino, Russia native. This big explosive start was very important for the Rangers to get from their big-time playmaker.

Panarin has been a human highlight reel. Continuing this momentum moving forward is going to be important for Artemi and the Rangers. New York will need its stars to shine if they’re going to compete for the Stanley Cup. New York’s ability to win games will likely live and die on the tape of Panarin. There are not many players in the NHL that are as important to their teams as Panarin is for the Blueshirts.

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