Artemi Panarin’s dominant first season with the New York Rangers have fans asking the question: Should Panarin be a finalist for the Hart?
Just when the Garden faithful thought the wait for another Stanley Cup championship since 1993-94 was long enough…NBC Sports reminded fans of another overdue award in the Big Apple.
A New York Rangers skater hasn’t won the Hart Memorial Trophy in almost three decades, after Mark Messier earned the award in 1991-92. NBC Sports tweeted out and asked fans if forward Artemi Panarin should be nominated for the 2020 Hart Memorial Trophy on Tuesday.
Ranger fans stormed onto the scene faster than the “Breadman” lights the lamp. Here’s a look at Twitter’s reactions to NBC Sports’ widely debated question.
Should Artemi Panarin be a Hart trophy finalist this season?! ?@NYRangers | #HockeyHappyHour pic.twitter.com/yOQ2VZCOOC
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/richg85_rich/status/1257776378574864391
This Ranger fan represented the fanbase and City that Never Sleeps with this funny GIF.
He already is as far as I'm concerned…
— Marc Weissman (@mgweissman) May 5, 2020
There’s no telling Marc otherwise about Panarin.
Insulting to even ask.
— Kristy Marie (@kmarie972) May 5, 2020
Happy Cinco Dey Mayo…these fans could use a little more salt with their Margaritas.
He should be a finalist, yes. But he should come in 3rd place after Draisaitl at 2 and MacKinnon at 1. MacKinnon has played almost the entire year without his line mates in Landeakog and Rantanen. As a singular player, I think Mac has been the most valuable player to his team.
— Flat Moon Gang (@DCroz24) May 5, 2020
“Flat Moon Gang” played devil’s advocate and mentioned some fair points that Broadway Blueshirt fans wanted nothing to do with — regardless if he’s accurate or not.
Honestly, no. There are some others players that are more worthy of consideration.
— Billy Launders (@b_launders) May 5, 2020
Billy was “honest,” at least.
https://twitter.com/SenorHiebs/status/1257771229177511936?s=20
“SenorHiebs” was also “honest” with everyone on this heated Twitter thread and somehow the Winnipeg Jets landed in the conversation.
Prior to the NHL’s pause on the 2019-20 campaign, Panarin was having a career-best season after posting 95 points (32g-63a) in 69 games played. No. 10’s clutch goal-scoring abilities and energy on a nightly basis haven’t been witnessed on Broadway from a free-agent signing since Jaromir Jagr almost won the Hart Trophy in 2005-06.
Either way, Panarin’s impressive first impression in a Rangers sweater likely earns him a nomination for the 2020 Hart Memorial Trophy.
