Former Blackhawks Star Artemi Panarin Officially Returns To Chicago with the Rangers Sunday
Today the Chicago Blackhawks will take on the New York Rangers, and former Blackhawks star Artemi Panarin, who returns to the United Center.
The New York Rangers coming to the United Center is a homecoming for Artemi Panarin.
Panarin spent the first two years of his NHL career with the Blackhawks and was Patrick Kane's linemate. Now, fast-forward 9 years later, and he's on a Rangers team that are bottom dwellers in the East.
The New York Rangers have a record of 17-20-1 and are 7th in the Metropolitan Division.
So if the Blackhawks play better than they usually do, this should be an easy win for Connor Bedard and the bunch.
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Panarin was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie, at the 2016 NHL Awards on 22 June. Panarin was also awarded the 2015-16 Kharlamov Trophy, given to the best professional Russian hockey player by the Russian Hall of Fame.
Panarin didn't win a cup here with the Blackhawks, but he did secure the Calder Trophy in his first season with the club.
What better way to spoil a return for breadman!
This season with the Rangers, like Panarin the team has been in disarray as the row between the front office and the team gains traction.
It looks as if the team has quit on New York, which is contrary to their entire catchphrase in 2023-2024.
Well, there's plenty of quit on the 1st line this season, as for the longest time the most productive line on the Rangers this season was their 3rd, with Will Cuylle, Kaapo Kakko(now a Kraken), and Filip Chytil.
Breadman arrives in the United Center with a chip on his shoulder, and something to prove as the team desperately needs to win, to improve morale.
In 36 games for the Rangers, Panarin has scored 39 points( 16 G, 23 A) while his teammates are down and out, he's still cooking.
