Why did Artemi Panarin shave his head again? Rangers star, in major slump, opens up about early season struggles

There have been two instances when NY Rangers forward Artemi Panarin shaved his head during his NHL career. The reason for doing so both times was a major scoring slump.

However, this time it feels different, as not only Panarin but also the Rangers are struggling this season—they rank at the bottom of the league in goals scored. Meanwhile, Panarin, who is in the final year of his seven-year, $81 million contract, has gone pointless in his last six games.

Panarin has shaved his head again in the hope that it will spark something and he will find his form again.

“I just wanted to change something,” the slumping winger said of his freshly shaved head via The Athletic. “Next step is a left (handed) stick for me.”

Artemi Panarin shaved his head during the 2023-24 season, in which he posted a career-high 120 points (49 goals and 71 assists). In the following season, he recorded 37 goals and 89 points. However, this season, the 34-year-old has scored only seven points (two goals and five assists) in 14 games.

Uncertainty around Artemi Panarin's future grows amid scoring slump

Artemi Panarin's future with the Rangers remains uncertain as his scoring struggles continue and intensify. The winger said that he does not think about it during games, but added that his underwhelming performance could become a factor.

“I can’t say I’m thinking about that in the game,” he said. Sometimes I think” it could be a factor."

He added:

“They’ve talked,” he said of Rangers team president Chris Drury and his agent, Paul Theofanous. “But not much right now.”

The New York Rangers, meanwhile, are yet to win a game at home in Madison Square Garden after 14 games. The club currently sits at the bottom of the Metro Division with a 6-6-2 record.

The Blueshirts' next game is against the Detroit Red Wings (9-5-0) at Little Caesars Arena next on Friday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta