5 NHL players that have made the 2019-20 season memorable

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 12: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after Darnell Nurse (not pcitured) scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oilers defeated the Coyotes 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers takes the first period shot against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

4. Artemi Panarin in the Big Apple

Heading into the summer of 2019, it was all but a formality that Artemi Panarin (and others) would be departing the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rumors had been swirling since the prior summer that Panarin had his eyes set on playing in New York, more specifically for the Rangers.

On July 1, all the speculation came to an end as Panarin inked a seven-year contract worth $81.5 million with the Blue Shirts. The allure of playing in the Big Apple is a strong one, and even though they’re a rebuilding franchise, Panarin made a decision to spend the prime of his career with the Rangers — through thick and thin.

Heading into the season, the hype surrounding Panarin was palpable. Though the year has been a mixed bag for the Rangers, Panarin has been everything fans expected and more.

Panarin has scored 95 points in just 69 games this season and was even in talks for the Hart Trophy prior to the season’s postponement. The Russian winger has dazzled with his wide array of moves and cerebral hockey sense. Lethal at both even-strength and the power play, Panarin remains the biggest reason why the Rangers are still in the playoff hunt.

Aside from his own offensive prowess, Panarin has helped his teammates reach a new level as well. Sharing time with centers Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad, Panarin has helped the two achieve breakout seasons.

Strome has reached the 50-point mark for the first time since his rookie season, while Zibanejad has put together a torrid second-half stretch — including a jaw-dropping five-goal performance versus the Capitals just before the pause.

Panarin has been more than worth the price of admission for the Rangers and watching him go from “very good player in a small market” to “bonafide superstar playing in the biggest city in North America” has been electric.

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