Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon said this week that he feels Artemi Panarin should win the Hart Trophy for the 2019-20 season. (The Score)
MacKinnon, who finished second to Taylor Hall for the 2017-18 Hart Trophy and sixth in the voting last year, said “If I had to pick a guy, I’d probably go with Panarin.”
When asked about other candidates, MacKinnon said “I think Draisaitl was unreal, what a season..when Connor got hurt he stepped up but the Rangers had a lot of injuries themselves and it seemed like Panarin really elevated his linemates’ game, I think he led the league in 5-on-5 points. He was just dominant, I would go with him if I had to pick one guy, I love watching him play.” (TSN 1050)
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He added that he was part of Colorado’s push to sign Panarin last summer, “I was trying everything to get him and obviously, the Rangers….sometimes it’s tough to compete with the Big Apple. I knew he was a free agent so I watched him with Columbus and what an amazing player and I watched him all season. Really nice guy, maybe I’m a little biased but that is why I think he should win the Hart this year.” (TSN 1050)
Colorado reportedly offered Panarin a shorter-term deal worth over $12 million per season.