Artemi Panarin
The Breadman has been his usual self this season despite riding the longest goalless streak of his career. Despite not scoring a goal in the last ten games, Artemi Panarin still leads the team in points with 22 and has five goals.
Teams are certainly keying on the Jackets best player but Panarin’s playmaking ability has led to more Cam Atkinson and Pierre-Luc Dubois goals this year. This top line is one of the better top line’s in the league and Panarin’s unselfish play is a huge reason why.
Panarin is on pace for another record setting year in union blue, averaging over a point per game. Although he did miss one game due to illness, Panarin is on pace to score 89 points this year.
That will certainly fetch him whatever price he wants on the open market. Even with all the discussion swirling around his contract situation with the Blue Jackets, Panarin is still performing at an elite level proving he is focused on nothing but winning.
Not much more can be said about the great start to the year from Panarin. I’m sure he’ll be proud of his report card for the first quarter of the year.