Artemi Panarin deserves Hart Trophy consideration

Artemi Panarin is 61 games into his massive seven year deal signed with the New York Rangers this offseason, and he has already set a career high in goals (32) and is closing in on career highs in assists and points. Barring injury, Panarin will set career highs in all three categories before the season is over. He has been worth every penny the Rangers have spent, yet his season is barely spoken about outside of New York.

Sure, his line of 32-53-85 is still 14 points behind Leon Draisaitl (all assists), but since when is the Hart Trophy automatically awarded to the highest scorer in the league? Sure it’s common, but the Hart Trophy is awarded to the player deemed most valuable to his team.…