Breaking News: Regretfully Rangers key player Artemi Panarin sent an apology letter and request for his departure……. more

Tarrytown, N.Y: On pace for 125 points and with his team atop the overall standings, it’s safe to say that Artemi Panarin is having an MVP-level start to the season.

It’s a welcome change, considering how the year ended for him last season. The New York Rangers, who had been considered Stanley Cup contenders, didn’t reach the final in 2023. They didn’t even get out of the first round.

And so, when this season began, the 32-year-old was not as confident as you might expect.

“Not great,” Panarin stated. “I felt the same as the year before. I was probably more nervous this year than before this season.I didn’t feel that confident in the exhibition games. I pass one time and it goes right into the curve for a player and they score.”

Panarin, who is ranked among the top-10 scorers with 11 goals and 29 points in 19 games, said there was a positive in last year’s early playoff exit. It meant that he was able to improve on the smaller areas of his game.

“I worked on passing, shooting,” he said. “Controlling the puck, and cardio. That’s important for playing 20 minutes.”

In turn, the all-star winger has been remarkably consistent, surpassing the club’s season-opening point streak record held by the legendary Rod Gilbert. And yet, he’s still hungry for more.

“We can’t talk about consistency because we are only a month and a half in,” said Panarin. “There’s what — five or six more (months)? It’s hard to talk about consistency because you’re good months could be in the middle of the season and you might not stay like that for the other six months.”

Much of Panarin’s early-season success has been due to his shot. Panarin has 62 shots on goal that have hovered between 70-80 MPH according to NHL Edge, which places him in the 99th percentile in that category. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette has talked about Panarin’s shoot-first approach a lot this season.

“His shot is one of the best in regards to placement,” said Laviolette. “He has so many goals this season where he could just get it on the net but delays and has that pause. He’s got a scorer’s touch.”

Panarin’s offensive output has also sparked Alexis Lafreniere’s production, with the 2020 No. 1 overall pick having scored eight goals and 12 points in 19 games.

“Playing with Laffy right now, he can take it back in the zone and it gives me an extra second,” said Panarin. “I have the right guy to give me an extra second to get to the goal and to the net.

“Usually when you’re carrying through the neutral zone, one or two guys jump on you right away. You know from the couch it’s easy to say ‘Shoot the puck!’, but that’s why I’d pass it. Now I have the opportunity to get open.”

Panarin had 204 shots on goal in 82 games last season. In just 19 games this year, he already has 76. At the rate he’s shooting, he would finish the season with around 305 shots on goal. He’d have even more if it were up to him.

“It’s not a mindset, it’s normal,” said Panarin. “You’re here, you do it. When I was not there, I wanted to shoot from the red line.”

With a team of shooters, Panarin isn’t always expected to be the one pulling the trigger.

“Usually when I was playing with [Patrick] Kane I was shooting a lot because he gave me that opportunity,” said Panarin, who added that he and the Rangers are not satisfied with how they have started the season.

“The whole team has to be better at every single thing,” he said. “It’s hard to say one thing. It can never be perfect.”