Artemi Panarin makes Rangers history!

When the New York Rangers first signed Artemi Panarin to a seven-year contract, both the team’s management and fans knew they were getting a special player. Yes, the price tag was quite high ($11,642,857 AAV and $81,499,999 over the life of the contract), but if you want a marquee player like Panarin, you shell out the big bucks. It’s really that simple. So far, Panarin is living up to the price tag, and has even managed to set a new franchise record along the way.

According to NHL Stats and Information, Panarin is the first Ranger to register 23 or more points in the month of November in franchise history. Quite the feat! And he’s only in the first two months of his seven-year contract! It’s also amazing that he’s the first in team history to do this, given some of the massive stars the Rangers have had playing for their team. Think Mark Messier, Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Zubov, Brian Leetch, Phil Esposito, among many, many others. And we haven’t even mentioned the greatest player to ever lace up the skates for any team, let alone the Rangers. Number 99 himself, the Great One, Wayne Gretzky! The guy owns so many league and team records you'd need the equivalent of a short novel to list them all. 

It is simply amazing that Panarin went undrafted for so long, playing his early years in the KHL. Despite being 28, he’s still in just his fifth full season in the NHL. In 346 career games, “Bread man” has had no problem averaging over a point a game. With another assist in today’s contest (a 3-2 overtime loss to Boston), he’s now up to 353 career points (128 goals, 225 assists).

If anyone wants to question the price tag that Panarin carries, it’s quite likely they are simply envious of the talent he brings to the Blueshirts and that he isn't playing for their team. Rejoice Ranger fans, he’s all yours for a long time yet!