Panarin has been a consistent point producer since entering the NHL in 2015-16, ranking seventh since entering the NHL in 2015-16 with 290 points (108 goals, 182 assists) in 291 games. He's averaged 3.06 points per 60 minutes of play, which ranks 18th. These numbers point to one conclusion: Panarin is in the upper tier of scoring wingers.
He's also delivered strong shot metrics, posting a shot attempt percentage of 54.51, 19th among forwards to play at least 200 games since 2015-16, and his relative SAT percentage of 5.57 ranks sixth. The puck is moving the right way when Panarin is on the ice and it's frequently ending up in the net.
There are, however, a few statistical caveats to be considered. Panarin's usage is tilted toward the offensive zone more dramatically than any other player, with 73.13 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts starting in the offensive zone. That's the highest rate in the NHL by far; St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko is second at 65.91 percent.
Panarin may be able to play effectively in the defensive zone, but a team acquiring him likely will prefer to use him in a similar fashion as it makes competitive sense to deploy Panarin in situations where he is most dangerous.
This season Panarin has a 5-on-5 shooting percentage of 11.2, which is an NHL career-high but also dependent on everyone else on the ice, so it's not a statistic which individuals typically can control. It has contributed to his career-best scoring rate, but it's also a reason to expect regression to his NHL career average of 9.3 percent. Nevertheless, given his track record there's little reason to think Panarin's production should fall off dramatically.
If it turns out that the Blue Jackets would consider trading Panarin, there are contenders for which he could fill a role like the one he currently has with Columbus, a big-minute forward who is the engine that drives a top line.
When he started in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Panarin was very productive, with 151 points (61 goals, 90 assists) in 162 games. But he spent so much time skating on a line with Patrick Kane that there was some doubt about whether Panarin was capable of being a driving offensive force or whether he was a product of playing with Kane, one of the League's elite scoring wingers. After a season-and-a-half in Columbus as a primary scoring threat, that's no longer a question.
Since the start of last season, Panarin (20:11) is one of 24 forwards to average more than 20 minutes of ice time per game, and he's fourth among forwards with an average of 17:11 of even-strength ice time per game. He also is very durable, having missed five games in four seasons.
