2. Artemi Panarin (125pts)
Let us get something out of the way. The Wild were not going to sign Panarin. I ranked him at a zero percent likelihood he would come to Minnesota because the rumors circulating on where he would play hockey next year were Florida or a place with a large Russian community. Minnesota isn’t/doesn’t really have either. He was the actual perfect acquisition for the Wild. Game-breaking goal scorer, right-handed, young, fast. He has it all. And if one Kiril Kaprizov saw the Wild get one of the best Russian born players in today’s NHL, maybe he flies the KHL coop a bit earlier.
Anyways, it’s looking like Panarin to the Rangers.
According to reports, Artemi Panarin has agreed to a deal with the @NYRangers. pic.twitter.com/f7bjVGw7nb
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) July 1, 2019
It’s nice to dream of a Minnesota Wild with Panarin.