Artemi Panarin is unquestionably the New York Rangers best player. There’s no debating it, and it has nothing to do with the fact he’s one of the highest paid players in the NHL. Only Connor McDavid makes more per season.
Ever since the Breadman opted to sign with the Blueshirts, he’s been the straw that stirs the drink. In his first season, he was a finalist for the Hart Trophy but lost out to Edmonton’s other star, Leon Draisaitl. Last year, he missed 9 games after unproven allegations of assault from a former Russian coach forced him into a leave of absence.