On Sunday, the NHL Network released their list of the “Top 20 Wings Right Now” as part of a series of countdowns running every Sunday in August and September. The network’s analyst ranked the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Artemi Panarin at No. 10
Panarin, who won the 2015-2016 Calder Memorial Trophy, finished one spot ahead of Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues and one spot behind the Winnipeg Jets’ Blake Wheeler. In addition to Panarin, you may remember that Seth Jones ranked sixth and Zach Werenski ranked 12th on NHL Network’s Top 20 Defensemen Right Now last week.
Here’s what Mike Johnson had to say about Panarin:
“He’s a game-breaking player. He was brought into Columbus to provide the instant offense that he’s provided away from Chicago. He’s made all the players around him better. …I love what he’s able to do off the rush, challenge guys with his speed [and] hands, not afraid to get to the net. A point-a-game player, he is just a dynamic guy.”
Here’s the full top 20:
Outraged? Flabbergasted? Happy?
Tell us how you feel about our Top 20 Wings list. #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/YUfypWRQmm
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 20, 2018
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
3. Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils
4. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
5. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
6. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets
7. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
8. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
9. Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets
10. Artemi Panarin, Columbus Blue Jackets
11. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
12. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
13. Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins
14. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
15. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
16. Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
17. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche
18. Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks
19. Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
20. Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville Predators