USA TODAY International Edition
Rangers land top NHL free agent
Allen: Winger Panarin brings star power to NY
Even when they are rebuilding, the Rangers can’t resist being the marquee franchise they’ve always been.
In the opening day of free agent shopping, the Rangers won the Artemi Panarin Sweepstakes. The contract will pay him $81.5 million over seven seasons, according to multiple reports.
Panarin was No. 1 on USA TODAY’s top 25 free agent list. He is among the most dangerous wingers, averaging 80 points per season in his first four NHL seasons.
He’s only 27, meaning he can fit into the Rangers’ rebuild.
By any definition, the Rangers’ rebuild is ahead of schedule.
Recently, they traded for top-pairing defenseman Jacob Trouba, 25. Earlier in the offseason, they acquired the rights to NHL-ready prospect defenseman Adam Fox, 21. Fox will slot immediately into the Rangers’ top six.
Then they drafted power forward Kaapo Kakko, 18, who is projected to play this season.
This was a team that already boasted a quality collection of young forwards, including Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Brett Howden, Pavel Buchnevich and Lias Andersson.
In addition to creating the level of splash that we always expect from the Rangers, the Panarin acquisition helps in three ways:
❚ An elusive, smallish forward with a keen ability of finding open ice with a quick shot release, Panarin seems like the perfect winger for Mika Zibanejad. Kakko, who looked comfortable playing against NHL talent in the World Championships, could play the other wing.
❚ Panarin will provide instant help for a Rangers’ power play, ranked 17th in the NHL last season. In his first four seasons, 80 (25%) of his 320 points have come on the power play. Panarin is a sharp passer as well as a proven scorer.
❚ The Rangers were 24th in scoring last season, and adding Panarin will instantly change their offensive dynamic. Panarin has the ability to create scoring chances when a situation looks harmless.
The Panarin move won’t instantly transform the Rangers into a Stanley Cup contender. This is still a team that must endure growing pains, and their defense, while improved, still has to gel.
But they also still have Henrik Lundqvist in net.
David Quinn seems like the right coach.
This will be a much more exciting season.
This is going to be like watching how the Maple Leafs improved after Brendan Shanahan took over command.
The Rangers will be at least a 90point team this season, which is a 12point improvement, and if everything breaks right, their season could be much more promising.