Artemi Panarin is off to his worst start with the New York Rangers since signing an $81.5 million megadeal with the team in the summer of 2019.

It's not ideal for the pending unrestricted free agent, and the Russian star shaved his head to try to get back to his usual, highly productive self, he told The New York Post's Dan Martin earlier this week.

“I had to change something,” the 34-year-old said. “The next step is a left stick if this doesn’t work.”

Panarin admitted that he has given some thought to his future, although no extension talks have begun between his camp and the Rangers brass.

“For sure. Players always think about their next years,” he continued. “But it’s not an excuse. I always feel confident, but it’s not 100 percent like usual because I don’t have enough points.

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