It’s not that Artemi Panarin ever gave us any reason to doubt his ability to repeat last season’s monster debut. But it’s always good to get reassurance, which he provided once again this weekend.

Panarin scored in each of the Chicago Blackhawks’ games, providing the only offense Chicago managed to generate in losses to the Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets.

The goals put him on pace for 30 this season, with his point total tracking close to the 77 he posted in winning the Calder as top rookie last season. The 25-year-old Russian is now very much in the middle of his prime and becomes an important part of the future for an aging Blackhawks core.

The next step is securing him for that future.