New York Rangers: 5 bold predictions for 2019-20 season

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 27, 2018 in New York City. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Panarin will hit between 85 and 90 points

Artemi Panarin’s career is a lesson for anyone who is entertaining the thought of giving up — don’t.

An undrafted talent who started his professional years playing in the Kontinental Hockey League, Panarin only arrived in the NHL in 2015 when he agreed to an entry-level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. He ultimately took the league by storm, earning the Calder Trophy as the sport’s finest rookie in a season that saw him tally a whopping 30 goals, 47 assists and 77 points in 80 games.

Since then, Panarin has further improved. A glance at this NHL totals paints the picture of one of hockey’s most head-turning forwards:

2015-16: Chicago Blackhawks — 80 GP, 30 G, 47 A, 77 PTS
2016-17: Chicago Blackhawks — 82 GP, 31 G, 43 A, 74 PTS
2017-18: Columbus Blue Jackets — 81 GP, 27 G, 55 A, 82 PTS
2018-19: Columbus Blue Jackets — 79 GP, 28 G, 59 A, 87 PTS

But the high point of Panarin’s career would arrive on July 1, 2019, when he signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract to play with the Rangers. The 27-year-old’s cap hit of $11,642,857 is second only to Connor McDavid’s $12,500,000.

At times overlooked in the grander narrative of all things NHL, Panarin is one of hockey’s best players. Now set to perform on as large of a stage as any, the winger will be expected to score at a continuously high rate, serving as the driver of play on a New York team aiming to seriously contend as early as next season. If he remains healthy, look for the forward to tally between 85 and 90 points.

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