When people were arguing against Artemi Panarin’s Calder case, they often discounted his work because of Patrick Kane’s brilliance (at least when they weren’t focusing on age questions).
It always felt a little unfair to Panarin.
Do we blame a great wide receiver playing with an adept quarterback? Sure, it’s an interesting discussion to have, but it seems fairly clear that there’s a symbiotic relationship between Panarin and Kane.
One could see that plainly in a 1-0 goal for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Pittsburgh Penguins that ... admittedly was driven by Kane’s almost audacious creativity and skill.
But still, Panarin has 26 goals this season because he’s really good, too. This season has been a nice showcase for such thoughts, and a reminder that - like most great combinations - they make each other better.
(Seriously though, Kane was out of his mind there.)