Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad are the New York Rangers elite tandem

Best of 2019-20

Speaking of which, I want to blow some steam on someone I have watched dabble their way through broadcasting for far too long: Barry Melrose. After Mika’s five-goal overtime-winning game against the Capitals last month, I switched to NHL Network to hear their take. Mike Rupp, a former Rangers player, whom I like as an analyst, praised the team for its playoff chase.

He highlighted Panarin’s contributions, naming him a very realistic MVP candidate. I’d say other than him, the others up for Hart Memorial Trophy consideration are undoubtedly Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, and David Pastrnak. Anyone living and breathing in 2020 reality that remotely paid attention to the NHL would agree those players are the favorites.

Big Barry? He ardently countered Rupp with some leftfield statement, “Give me something Panarin does that Ovechkin can’t do.” What? Rupp’s expression said a thousand words, starting with something like, “Who let this guy on set?” Ovechkin will go down as arguably the greatest goal-scorer ever, but this is about the 2019-20 MVP.

There are more requirements other than scoring goals, it’s about the value you bring to your club and the success that hinges on it. That’s why the award is given to the most VALUABLE player

The Capitals (did I mention the league’s oldest team on paper?), as sensational as Ovechkin is, would still be contenders without him. The New York Rangers (the aforementioned youngest), on the other hand, would be in dead last without Panarin.

He’s kick-started the Blueshirts in ways I’ve never seen, personally. Readers won’t need the numbers to prove that, the eye test works just fine. Ovechkin is not even on the radar in this discussion. Wake up, Barry, it’s not 2009 anymore. There are other headlining talents in the league to give praise other than name-dropping Ovechkin every night cause you have nothing else to say. I digress.