New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin announced to fans on Thursday that he doesn’t want them to vote for him for the All-Star Weekend, as him and his wife are expecting their second child soon.
Artemi Panarin, a key player for the New York Rangers, conveyed a heartfelt message to fans, declining their votes for the upcoming All-Star Weekend. Panarin and his wife are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their second child, prompting his decision to step back from All-Star contention.
Instead, the Rangers have rallied behind standout goaltender Igor Shesterkin, acknowledging his stellar 16-8-0 record and an impressive .908% save percentage across 24 games this season. Shesterkin emerges as the lone Eastern Conference goalie selected among the four chosen for the All-Star Game.
With Panarin graciously excusing himself, the Rangers have redirected their promotional endeavors, urging fans to cast their votes for deserving players such as Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere. Each of these players exhibits exceptional prowess in their respective positions, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Despite Panarin’s decision, his outstanding performance this season is undeniable, amassing an impressive 24 goals and 29 assists, totaling 53 points in just 37 games. He stands merely eight goals away from equalling his career-high goal tally and is currently on pace to reach an outstanding 117 points, potentially surpassing his career best and achieving a remarkable first by hitting the coveted 100-point mark in his career.
The highly anticipated All-Star Weekend is scheduled to take place in Toronto from February 1st to 3rd. The Player Draft is set for Thursday, February 1st at 6 p.m. EST, followed by the Skills Competition on Friday, February 2nd at 7 p.m. EST, and culminating with the main event, the game itself, on Saturday, February 3rd at 3 p.m. EST.