Panarin was an absolute monster last season, his first with the Rangers, setting career highs in goals (32), assists (63) and TOI (20:36) while tying his previous high of 24 power-play points, all while playing just 69 games due to the NHL's shortened regular season. While it would be unwise for virtual managers to expect the Bread Man to keep up a near 1.4 point-per-game pace in 2020-21, the 29-year-old winger can now be considered a lock to put up 25-plus goals and 80-plus points over a full season, marks he's surpassed in each of his last three campaigns. With 2020 No.1 overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere now in the mix, there's no reason to believe the Rangers' offense won't continue to roll during the upcoming campaign, and Panarin will undoubtedly be one of the major driving forces behind its success. Fantasy players shouldn't hesitate to snag the 29-year-old Russian with a mid-first-round pick in this year's drafts.
While the Blue Jackets may eventually come to regret the decision to go all-in at the trade deadline rather than become sellers, there's no denying that Panarin gave the club his all in his final season before free agency. The 27-year-old upped his production from the year before, scoring 28 goals and a career-high 87 points in 79 games, and he was a key figure in the shocking first-round sweep of the Lightning, winding up with five goals and 11 points in 10 playoff games. Panarin signed a huge seven-year contract to take his talents to Broadway, where he'll be the focal point of the Rangers' attack thanks to his brilliant all-around offensive skills. Still in his prime, he could be headed for another career season given the quality of the roster around him.
Brought over from the Blackhawks in the offseason in a deal for Brandon Saad, Panarin immediately became the most dynamic offensive player in Blue Jackets history, setting franchise records and career bests with 55 assists and 82 points. The 26-year-old's best assets may be his vision and hockey IQ, but he's a slick skater with a dazzling array of moves and shots as well, and as he heads into his prime he's capable of being a cornerstone piece for any NHL team. The question is whether that team will be Columbus. A free agent after 2018-19, Panarin has shown reluctance to sign an extension with the Jackets, and as a result he could be on the move once again either before the regular season kicks off or by the trade deadline. Wherever he lands, he'll be a threat for point-per-game production.
Panarin had another impressive campaign in his second NHL season in 2016-17, racking up 74 points (31 goals, 43 assists) and 211 shots on goal in 82 games. The Bread Man flourished while skating on Patrick Kane’s line during his two-season stay with the Blackhawks, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be similarly productive with his new club. Columbus certainly doesn't lack talent up front, but Panarin had a special level of chemistry with Kane that won't be easily replicated in his new digs. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old Russian is an undeniably skilled forward, and it would hardly be surprising to see him improve on his offensive totals from a season ago. Panarin’s ceiling may not be as high as it would've been had he been slated to spend another season skating on Kane’s opposite wing, but there’s hardly any risk involved with selecting him in this year’s fantasy drafts, so owners shouldn't hesitate to snatch him up with one of their first three selections.
There were questions about how well and how quickly Panarin would adjust to North American hockey prior to his first NHL season in 2015-16. The 24-year-old winger quickly laid doubts to rest during his rookie campaign, bursting onto the scene to the tune of 30 goals and 47 assists over 80 games, a performance that led to the Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie. Skating on a line with Patrick Kane certainly aided the winger's transition, but Panarin deserves a ton of credit in his own right, as few have been able to seamlessly transition from the wide-open style played in the KHL to the physically-challenging NHL game with the level of success Panarin enjoyed last season. There's no reason to suspect Panarin won't be able to match the near point-per-game pace he reached last season, as he'll once again be skating on a line with Kane and Artem Anisimov in 2016-17, and will return as a key member of the 'Hawks deadly top power-play unit. Fantasy owners shouldn't hesitate to snag the Blackhawks' newest offensive powerhouse at some point in the first few rounds of this year's drafts.
Panarin is a skilled winger with good hockey smarts. However, all he has known is Russian hockey in the KHL, where the rinks are wider and there aren’t as many teams to compete against. Playing for the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks figures to be an ideal scenario for Panarin, as the team has plenty of depth on the left wing including the likes of Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell, a pair that could shadow Panarin and help him adjust to American hockey. Last season, with St. Petersburg SKA (KHL), he lit the lamp 26 times and had 36 assists to boot. His playing time with the Blackhawks will largely be decided by how quickly he can adjust to a new environment, but the 23-year-old has significant upside in keeper leagues, and also deeper redraft leagues if he makes a positive impression in camp.
