Rangers Reportedly Not Concerned About Artemi Panarin's Slow Start: Here's Why According To Sullivan
Photo credit: Clutch Points
Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers aren't worried about Artemi Panarin's slow start to the 2025-26 NHL season. While it seems uncharacteristic, Mike Sullivan believes it will naturally turn itself around.
Which seems unbelievable, considering the fact that Artemi Panarin's game has been trending downward since 2024-25.
Last season, Breadman scored 89 points under Peter Laviolette, and a Rangers team that underperformed after their Presidents' Trophy run.
However, at only 9 points (2-7) in 14 games, Mike Sullivan and the Rangers aren't concerned with his performance.
The reason? Sullivan believes it he can turn it around.
«I think it's probably a little bit of both,» Sullivan said on if Panarin's struggles are due to goaltenders playing well or if something is not clicking for Panarin. «He's definitely getting some looks. I think when he gets underneath people, and he gets inside the dots, he's really dangerous.
«My experience in coaching players of his caliber is sometimes as coaches, we just have to be careful we don't get in the way there. So we're trying to give him a lot of latitude with his offensive game. We share our observations with him, but obviously, those types of players, what makes them unique is they tend to think the game differently than others, and that's part of what makes them who they are. I've always been a strong believer that, I try not to get in the way of that process. So he's at his best place and in that instinctive mindset, and he's trusted his instincts, and we're trying to encourage that.»
«My experience in coaching players of his caliber is sometimes as coaches, we just have to be careful we don't get in the way there. So we're trying to give him a lot of latitude with his offensive game. We share our observations with him, but obviously, those types of players, what makes them unique is they tend to think the game differently than others, and that's part of what makes them who they are. I've always been a strong believer that, I try not to get in the way of that process. So he's at his best place and in that instinctive mindset, and he's trusted his instincts, and we're trying to encourage that.»
Artemi Panarin: Can He Turn It Around?
In 2023-24, he managed to put up a career-high in 120 points and put himself in the discussion with Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid.
Yet this season, it seems like a far-fetched idea, and a fictional story at best.
Mike Sullivan believes skilled guys like Panarin will turn things around. But given the Rangers' injury issues, it's difficult to believe that he alone will be the spark of the team's offense this season.
Last season, he was their best forward, but one man alone can't do everything on the ice.
With Mika Zibanejad taking over the 1C role for an injured Vinnie Trocheck, it looks as if the team is depending on the hockey gods for something to change. Should we be concerned?
Is the lack of a contract extension the true driving force? Or is it something else?
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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