2024-2025 Artemi Panarin report card

With all the now ex-Rangers report cards complete, we can shift to players still with the club. Starting with the forwards and working our way down the lineup, we begin with our Artemi Panarin report card. Panarin played 80 games last year and was the Rangers leading scorer by a wide margin with 37 goals, 52 assists, and 89 points, leading the Blueshirts in all three categories. Panarin also led the team in powerplay goals/assists/points and shots on goal. Essentially without Panarin, the Rangers were even more of a lottery team than they already were.

On the ice, Panarin was basically everything the Rangers pay him to be. Though it was his lowest point total in his Rangers career–by 3 points and missing 2 games–and a 30 point drop from the prior year, Panarin was still Panarin. Hockey is the ultimate team sport where one player is simply not enough to overcome so many other issues on the ice. He isn’t paid to be a two-way player, and though he’s expected to be somewhat competent, which he was, he’s not out there to prevent goals against. He’s there to drive offense at 5v5 and on the powerplay. He did just that.

Criticism of Panarin is warranted, but his on-ice play is basically what was expected. He led the team in scoring, drove significant offense, and was actually above water defensively. His expected numbers actually outstripped his on-ice production, suggesting the overall team quality impacted his numbers. This makes sense and passes the sniff test. Again at least for on-ice production.

Off the ice is where things get dicey quickly. There was a rumored barbecue at Panarin’s house over the summer where the whole team was supposed to figure out how to move forward after the Jacob Trouba drama. We don’t know what was discussed or who attended the barbecue, but we do know how the season transpired. Panarin was also accused of sexual assault stemming from a 2023 incident, which was settled last offseason and only made public in Spring this year.

On the ice, Panarin was still a dominating force that led the Rangers in all offensive categories. He took a step back, but the when the rest of the team takes a giant leap back, one step back doesn’t seem so bad. Off the ice, we simply can’t ignore the sexual assault allegations and settlement.

Artemi Panarin report card grade (on-ice): A-
Artemi Panarin report card grade (all aspects): F. Can’t ignore the major distractions.