After a disappointing performance in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin has benefited from the fresh start of the 2023-24 season.
Being a star athlete in New York City isn't the easiest challenge to take on. In his now fifth year with the organization, Artemi Panarin has experienced just how hard the fans can be on their favorite players.
Before the Rangers game against the Nashville Predators on October 19th, I had the chance to ask the head coach, Peter, Laviolette about his thought's on the teams star forward thus far. Laviolette raved about what he's seen from Panarin.
Full clip:
Through the teams first five games, Panarin has appeared to be at the top of his game. Not only has he recorded a point in all of these games, but he currently leads the team in points (7), shots (21), and he is leading all forwards in time on ice per game (19:00). Laviolette is rewarding Panarin not only because of his play in the offensive zone, but also because of his urgency in the defensive zone.
Panarin is a major key for the Rangers success come playoff time. From what I have gathered in the early going, Laviolette is hoping to strengthen his 200-foot game. So, come playoff time, he is hoping to have Panarin be as complete of a player as possible.
The Rangers have spent a ton of time as a team playing offense, per the NHL Edge, but it should also be noted that Panarin is spending 54.6% of the game in the offensive zone, which leads the entire NHL. Just like coach Laviolette wants, team defense is leading to offense which has been paramount for the positive play from Panarin in the first five games of the season.
Laviolette has always been known for getting his players to compete. We're seeing that early on in the way he's coaching Panarin and it's nice to see the Rangers best forward get rewarded with more ice time because of it.
Panarin has looked excellent on a line with Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil. The two youngsters have shown way more confidence individually just due to having Panarin's presence out there with them. Together, these three are driving the play and dictating the pace, which is why they're not spending as much time in their own end. Credit to Laviolette for sticking with this line even after a poor performance against Nashville.
Maybe it was the hair cut, maybe it's the coaching, but either way, Panarin's strong efforts thus far should be appreciated after all of the backlash he faced this past summer.