Through all of the highs and lows this season, Artemi Panarin has been a consistent bright spot for the New York Rangers.
He may not be on pace to record 120 points again, but Panarin is still having an incredible season.
It seems almost every time he touches the puck, the 33-year-old forward creates magic.
Panarin is somehow always able to sneak a shot through tons of bodies to the net as you could just tell how creative he is as a player just by the way he shoots the puck.
He’s like a magician out there on the ice. For basketball fans, in terms of Panarin’s playmaking, it’s fair to compare him to the likes of Magic Johnson or Chris Paul.
The way he opens up the ice and slows down the pace of the game speaks to how strong his hockey IQ truly is.
Panarin is currently in the midst of a 10-game point streak, which is no surprise to Peter Laviolette.
“It’s almost normal, it’s almost what you expect of him,” Laviolette said of Panarin’s success. “He’s a dangerous player. The puck gets on his stick and he can really make things happen. It’s been that way his whole career, certainly for the time that I’ve been here. I’ve noticed that he can be a difference-maker in every game.”
Off of the ice, Panarin is light-hearted, always cracking jokes and making others laugh. He’s calm and composed even after tough losses.
Panarin is looking to have a good time whether he’s playing hockey or not. His overall personality translates to the way he plays.
Through 67 games this season, Panarin has recorded 30 goals, 43 assists and 73 points while averaging 19:49 minutes.