By: Lucky Ngamwajasat
Rangers fans, the Breadman cometh to the Big Apple.
The prize of the 2019 NHL free agent class, Artemi Panarin ended all the speculation Monday by agreeing to terms with the Blueshirts to a long-term contract.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with free agent forward Artemi Panarin. pic.twitter.com/EoptmQvZfL
β New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 1, 2019
Panarin brings a glittering resume to Broadway including four consecutive seasons of 70-plus points with the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
Since 1990-91, Artemi Panarin is one of only four NHL players who have tallied at least 74 points in each of their first four seasons in the league (along with Sergei Fedorov, Evgeni Malkin, and Alex Ovechkin). #NYR
β NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) July 1, 2019
The signing of Panarin signals a new stage in the Rangers’ rebuild and caps off an impressive offseason for general manager Jeff Gorton and new team president John Davidson.
The New York Rangers just really just messed around and added Artemi Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox this offseason
β Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) July 1, 2019
The Rangers, February of 2018: Announce long, painful rebuild.
The Rangers, July of 2019: Sign Panarin, acquire Trouba, draft Kakko.Thatβs how you do it.
β Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) July 1, 2019
Henrik Lundqvist has seen Panarin’s handiwork up close. The Rangers’ goalie will now get the opportunity to team up with the 28-year-old.
Welcome to the Big Apple Breadman!#NYR πππ½
β Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) July 1, 2019
Micah Blake McCurdy, a mathematician who does advanced analytical work focusing on the NHL, explained why Panarin will be a strong addition to the Blueshirts from an advanced stats point of view.
Artemi Panarin (7×11.6m with NYR) is an elite driver of 5v5 offence with a very good shot, a very good penalty differential, and is very slightly above average defensively. Power-play impact also good. pic.twitter.com/RZvMIyibA1
β Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) July 1, 2019
Even Panera Bread couldn’t help and get in on the fun.
the Bread Man got that bread ππππ
β Panera Bread (@panerabread) July 1, 2019
Here’s a highlight reel of some of Panarin’s best moments.
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