When the Rangers signed Artemi Panarin as a free agent last summer, they expected big things from the 28-year-old Russian forward. And in his first year with the team, Panarin has clearly delivered.
Panarin was named Tuesday as one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the NHL’s Most Outstanding Player, as voted by the members of the NHL Players Association. Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, the league’s leading scorer, and Nathan MacKinnon, who helped push the Colorado Avalanche to the fourth-best record in the league, are the other finalists. The winner will be announced during the conference finals.