Artemi Panarin might be the Rangers’ best free agent acquisition in their 100-year history (at least on the ice). Since his arrival, Panarin has led the Rangers in scoring every year and has been one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. No one denies Panarin’s attacking capabilities, he shows it every year. But it may be worth trading Artemi Panarin, with due diligence of course, as he will be 34 years old and the Rangers’ current trajectory may not suit Panarin’s contract demands.
Some of the key pieces that make up the Rangers’ offensive core are starting to trend towards the wrong side of 30 and GM Chris Drury, if this season goes off the rails like the last, will have to trade Artemi Panarin, or at least think deeply about it, to get back some younger pieces that can help the future of the franchise. Another thing to consider is: How will the Rangers replace that kind of production? They just traded Chris Kreider and are already thin on top six talent.
It’s a bit early to ask the Rangers to trade Artemi Panarin, especially with just 10 goals in those four games and two shutouts. There were a lot of positives from the last three games, even with Charlie Lindgren stealing one. But this scoring saga isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, and the calls to trade Artemi Panarin could grow louder if the Rangers continue an inconsistent offense. The downside is the impact of Panarin’s loss on a team already starved for scoring.
Complicating matters are reports that Panarin will not accept a ‘residence discount’. The Rangers simply shouldn’t pay him more than his current $11.6 million per year for another 4-5 seasons, especially if they have to leave their current struggle period. The trade deadline could get pretty wild if Drury gives the smoke signal that he wants to trade Artemi Panarin. Which teams would want him? What direction could the Rangers go with the deal?
If they trade Artemi Panarin, he could land a haul
If the Rangers really want to trade Artemi Panarin, he would easily be the best pure hitman on the market. Nathan MacKinnon would probably love having Panarin on one side and Martin Necas on the other. The Florida Panthers have some LTIR space available Aleksandar Barkov’s injuryand can you imagine Panarin and Matthew Tkachuk playing together? The Dallas Stars are also an intriguing option as they have their own star wing issues to solve with Jason Robertson.
If the Rangers want to trade Artemi Panarin, Drury will have his suitors lined up. Does he associate with players of the same age who can provide the same attacking spark? Or will Drury trade him for futures? It’s safe to assume it’s a bit of both, with Drury looking for a cost-controlled player with high upside, although their needs could change by the time they consider (or if they trade) Artemi Panarin.
It’s no secret that the left defense is an area of need for the team, because after Gavrikov… the depth just doesn’t look great. The Rangers would also have to consider the drop in offense if they trade Artemi Panarin. Drury could also go the future route and sign some intriguing young players. It’s likely the Rangers will get a first-round pick if they explore this option, which would fit well with their pair of 2026 first-rounders. As for players, spitballing aside, it’s too early to say who would be targeted if they trade Artemi Panarin.
The best strategy for Drury might be to go after that extra first-round pick or try some sort of Panarin/Jason Robertson trade with Dallas (if he’s still in contract purgatory), although the Rangers would have to add something to make it work for Dallas since Robertson still has another year of team control left. This is the dream of all dreams as he is likely to re-sign, but for now he is still pending an RFA.
It’s not a foregone conclusion that the Rangers will want to trade Artemi Panarin, but there is a realistic chance that the Rangers can’t or won’t re-sign Panarin and they’ll fall out of the playoff race. In this scenario, they would be much better served by trading Artemi Panarin for a chance to acquire pieces to give them a better future. Whether it’s a first-round pick or a younger offensive dynamo like Jason Robertson, or even a left defense trade we haven’t thought about yet; the Rangers could reap the benefits for years to come.
Line-up effects in a theoretical Panain trade
Of course, some of the conversation will shift to power play minutes if the Rangers actually move forward with this idea. Alexis Lafreniere is the obvious choice to replace Panarin on his wing, and the transition would be relatively seamless with Laf already replacing the injured Vincent Trocheck. Laf has more than earned the chance to get an extended look at PP1 and it’s time he got that look.
At 5v5, Gabe Perreault is the most logical choice to move into the top six. Perrault is the Rangers’ most talented prospect and his ceiling is sky-high. With the way the 2026 free agent class is disappearing, this may be their only option once Panarin is gone. With few, if any, reinforcements available to sign, it would be absolutely crucial to pull off this trade, either with futures or with a player ready to step in right away.
It’s worth noting that Panarin would probably be the jewel of the class right now, without all the other options. It makes you wonder if that plays into his contract demands and why it might behoove the Rangers to trade him.
Panarin’s time in New York was everything the team had hoped for, short of winning the Stanley Cup. His departure will send ripples throughout the organization. Depending on how this season plays out and any potential offers on the table, it could very well be in everyone’s best interest to see Panarin play hockey for another organization after the trade deadline.
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