Who could be in action this season?
Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin: Looking at some of the bigger names that could become available this season.
Larkin – Unless he’s willing to take a team discount, Artemi Panarin’s return to the New York Rangers doesn’t make sense in the long run. If you don’t see the Rangers in the playoffs, they could get a nice set of picks and prospects for him.
Anthony Trudeau – Don’t think the New Jersey Devils have to wait until 2026 to move defenseman Dougie Hamilton. The Devils could use a top-six winger and will need some cap space if Jonathan Kovacevic leaves LTIR. He has a 10-team no-trade list and they may have to find a third party to keep some of the $9 million cap hit.
Scott Maxwell – The Pittsburgh Penguins are unlikely to extend Evgeni Malkin, nor will he look to make a run in the Cup with another team. The Florida Panthers will be looking for a center, as will the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
Paul Pidutti – Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson has a full movement clause. The Penguins may win enough games before the trade deadline that they don’t go into fire-sell mode. Keeping players like Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust will only slow down the Penguins’ rebuild.
Steven Ellis – A team looking for a second or third defenseman could call the San Jose Sharks about incoming UFA Mario Ferraro.
Mike Gould – Rasmus Andersson is unlikely to be extended by the Calgary Flames. He struggled last season, but he could be the best right-handed defenseman available on the trade market and net the Flames a nice return.
How the New York Rangers’ season goes may play a role in whether Artemi Panarin returns next season
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) Artemi Panarin is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $11.64 million. He has been their top scorer for the past six seasons and ranks fifth in NHL scoring as of the 2019-20 season with 552 points in 435 games.
The Rangers still like Panarin, but GM Chris Drury is not publicly commenting on Panarin’s contract situation and long-term future. If the Rangers struggle again this season, it could be a signal that change is needed and they look to move him at the trade deadline. If they have a good season, Panarin might want to stay. How successful Panarin is this season could make him want to test the market to see how much money he can get. Don’t think Panarin will sign an extension during the season.
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