Things have soured a bit between Columbus Blue Jackets fans and Artemi Panarin this offseason, given his refusal to sign an extension with the club, but those same fans know better than most that he is incredible on the ice. That assertion is now echoed by NHL Network – which continued its #NHLTopPlayers series with a look at the league’s best wings. The Russian winger checked in at number 10 overall.
You can read the full list here.
Funny enough, though, after putting up a career high in points after playing away from Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, Panarin’s stock actually fell according to the list, as he was ninth on last offseason’s list. He was jumped on this year’s list by Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler (previously 11th, now 9th) and New Jersey’s Taylor Hall (20th last year, now 3rd) and the Flyers’ Claude Giroux, while jumping over the Sharks' Joe Pavelski.
Another Blue Jackets wing, Cam Atkinson, fell off the list entirely (previously 16th) after an injury-plagued season that saw his production fall – although he did come on very strong in the second half of the season.
Panarin is the third Blue Jacket to make one of NHL Network’s top 20 lists this offseason, as both Seth Jones and Zach Werenski made the list for defensemen.
