The way Artemi Panarin is playing right now, it’d be understandable if the New York Rangers wanted to lock up the pending unrestricted free agent with a contract extension as soon as possible.
But it’s not exactly that easy.
First off, Panarin’s current heater, nine points (three goals, six assists) in his past four games, was preceded by an exceptionally slow – -and concerning — start this season. He had seven points in 14 games before shaving his head for good luck.
“My confidence [is] OK now. “Better than before,” Panarin told the New York Post this week.