Artemi Panarin rejoined the New York Rangers for practice in Boston on Wednesday after taking a two-week leave of absence. Coach David Quinn said Panarin won't play Thursday night against the Bruins and his timeline for getting back to game action is unclear.
But there's a buzz around the Rangers that their highest-paid and best player is back. “He walked in at breakfast and everyone was pretty happy to see him,” defenseman Jacob Trouba said. "We heard rumblings that he might be meeting us in Boston, so everyone kind of kept it quiet, but I think everyone was excited.
Obviously great to have him back and happy to have him back in the locker room. I think the team’s obviously excited to have him back around.” Panarin left the team Feb.