Rangers' Artemi Panarin Explains Why he Can't Attend This Year's All-Star Game

The NHL named its picks for the upcoming All-Star weekend on February 3rd yesterday, and many were surprised when a name having an excellent season was left off the list.

Many assumed Artemi Panarin would be the New York Rangers representative as he is part way through a huge bounceback year following a disappointing season in 2022-23. However, it was goaltender Igor Shesterkin getting the nod for the Rangers, causing some confusion. There is still a chance to vote Panarin into the All-Star game. However, the sniper says he won't be going, and is encouraging fans to vote for his teammates.

Here's why Artemi can't go to All-Star 🥹 - but he says "PLEASE RETWEET NOW TO VOTE FOR MY TEAMMATES ⤵️"#NHLAllStarvote
Mika Zibanejad
Chris Kreider
Alexis Lafreniere
Vincent Trocheck
Jacob Trouba
Adam Fox pic.twitter.com/nF6acTnrVw— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 5, 2024

Panarin played all 82 games last season, scoring 29 goals and 92 points.This year, however, Panarin already has 24 goals in 37 games, and is well on his way to one of his best seasons ever in the NHL.