Marian Gaborik set the standard for big-ticket free agents who sign with the Rangers. For after signing a five-year, $37.5 million deal on July 1, 2009, the Great Gabby shot out of the gate wearing the Blueshirt, scoring six goals in his first seven games, 11 in his first 13 and 19 in his first 22 matches en route to a career-best 42-goal season.
Artemi Panarin is a different breed with a different skill set. Whereas Gaborik was one of the NHL’s elite snipers and scorers, Panarin is one of the game’s great playmakers who can also sprinkle in more than a handful of goals here and there.