During the New York Rangers' 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Artemi Panarin scored his 900th NHL point, which put him in a rare club. Scoring 900 career points at hockey's highest level alone is worth celebrating, but for Panarin, it was extra special.
As NHL.com's Callum Fraser reported, "Panarin is the sixth undrafted player since 1963-64 to reach 900 career points in 800 games or fewer (781), joining Wayne Gretzky (385 games), Peter Stastny (599 games), Bobby Orr (638 games), Phil Esposito (692 games) and Adam Oates (735 games)."
Those are five good players to be mentioned in the same sentence with, as all five are Hockey Hall of Famers. Panarin could join them in the Hall of Fame if he keeps putting up legendary statistics.
Even in his age-34 season, Panarin is still averaging over a point per game, with 30 points and nine goals in 29 contests so far in 2025-26. He has averaged more than a point per game since the 2017-18 season during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, and never put up fewer than 74 points in a single campaign except for the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season.
Artemi Panarin took one step closer to immortalizing his name in NHL history
If there is any knock on Panarin, it's that he has never won a Stanley Cup. He has been named to four NHL All-Star teams, and played in the 2023 All-Star Game. He was the focal point of the Rangers' 2023-24 season when they won the Presidents' Trophy, putting up 120 points and 49 goals in 82 contests.
Before his stint with the Rangers, Panarin spent two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he was part of the team that upset the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. It was the first playoff series in franchise history, and Panarin played a major role, scoring five points and two goals as the Blue Jackets swept the Lightning.
If Panarin finds a way to win that elusive Stanley Cup, he'll inch even closer to hockey immortality. He can also easily make it to 1,000 points within the next few years at the rate he's producing, and that will be something for hockey fans to keep an eye on as Panarin advances into the latter stages of his career.
Regardless of what happens and which milestones Panarin reaches next, having your name next to Wayne Gretzky, Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Adam Oates, and Peter Stasny is quite the accomplishment. It's something few NHL players can achieve.