"There's a spot for playoff washouts?": NHL fans debate Artemi Panarin's case for Hockey Hall of Fame

The question of whether Artemi Panarin deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame has sparked debate amongst NHL fans online.

Panarin, a winger for the New York Rangers, has put up impressive 781 points in regular season numbers in his career, including winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2015-16. He also made the NHL First All-Star Team twice.

However, some fans argue that Panarin's lack of playoff success hurts his Hall of Fame case.

After NHL on X posted a poll asking if Panarin is a Hall of Famer, fans weighed in on social media. One comment stated bluntly,

"There's a spot for playoff washouts?"

Despite Panarin's regular season record and 120 point campaign last year, he has only scored 61 points in his playoffs career.

Another fan noted,

"No. Cmon man, I love Bread but let’s be realistic. He has 0 Cups, 0 individual awards besides being rookie of the year. He needs some more hardware before he can go to the hall."

One fan points out,

"He needs a Cup to go with his resume!" on X.

Other fans defended Panarin, pointing to his individual accomplishments and skills.

"He's the most dynamic player I've seen play in person in the last 15 years" one fan wrote on X.

"1st) It's bread MAN..2nd) He'll definitely get there, but it's way too early. 3rd) Last year was epic. 4) Let's have another." another fan wrote.

"He should be if he keeps up this pace. He's the 3rd highest scoring UDFA behind Peter Šťastný and Adam Oates after 761 GP (Panarin's total GP)." a user commented.

Whether Panarin's contributions will be enough for the Hall remains a lively topic among NHL fans.

Artemi Panarin on his playoff performance

Artemi Panarin reflected on his disappointing playoff performance with the Rangers this past season in the season-ending exit interview.

The star winger acknowledged that he got frustrated too quickly when things went wrong, saying:

"I get frustrated too early and then after it snowballs."

Despite trying to improve on last year's playoff struggles, Panarin felt he regressed.

"Honestly last playoff I turn over, like, every puck. This year I don't do that, not that bad...I don't want to say excuses, like it's mental and I feel terrible in playoffs," Artemi Panarin explained.

Panarin said even though he came into each game excited to turn things around, he was unable to get on track:

"Every game I come in excited, I try again and again and again. And it not work, not work, not work. I don't know."