Voted Kucherov but it lingers in the back of my head if Panarin could put up similar numbers in Tampa. He was tremendous last year up until the break.
I don't really think so. My theory on this is superstars don't get much of a benefit from a change in scenery, because their production is determined by their talent. Unless they're dragging around complete knuckle dragging plugs (which Panarin is not doing), their production is what it is.
We always assume that, but the examples we have seen of superstars in or close to their prime moving to "better" situations hasn't really shown that. Tavares didn't become a 100 point player in Toronto. Joe Thornton was doing what he was doing in Boston and San Jose - no real change there.
Panarin is a puck dominant player so I just don't see what benefit he derives from playing in Tampa versus NY. And Kucherov doesn't really benefit from having a good second and third (and frankly - fourth) line - he's getting the same tough matchups Panarin gets.
Also for a recent example of playing on Tampa not being the point jamboree is JT Miller who gets a complete massive bump playing in Vancouver over Tampa.