Artemi Panarin signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the Rangers on July 1. The 27-year-old left wing is expected to team with center Mika Zibanejad on the top line to give the Rangers a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch. Panarin had an NHL career-best 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 79 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, and 82 points (27 goals, 55 assists) in 81 games two seasons ago. The Rangers haven't had a player reach 80 points in a season since Marian Gaborik had 86 (42 goals, 44 assists) in 2009-10. Panarin sustained a mild groin strain in a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils on Sept. 18, but the injury is not considered to be serious.