In a candid moment during his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Kings, Artemi Panarin opened up about why his contract negotiations with the New York Rangers never progressed. The star forward, recently traded to LA where he immediately signed a two-year extension worth $22 million ($11 million AAV), reflected on past conversations with his former team.
Panarin explained that discussions started before the season, but the Rangers’ initial offer left him unsure. “I don’t know if I should say this, but I feel like their offer said, ‘We’re not sure if we want you or not.’ That’s why I didn’t sign,” he said. He noted that there was a brief re-engagement during the season, but “not much” came of it.
“Yes, we didn’t talk much at first before the season started and then obviously my start to the season wasn’t great. And we probably talked halfway through the year, but not much.”
The lack of enthusiasm to get anything done probably soured Panarin when he really tried to make it work with New York. Then, no real conversations about staying ultimately contributed to the rift between the two sides, paving the way for them to start asking around and executing a trade and ultimately moving him to the Kings.
Other teams were interested, but Panarin said he spoke to Vladislav Gavrikov, who told him about the Kings. “Great teammates, great organization, great place to live…I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Panarin told the Rangers he wanted to go there and then hoped a deal would be made. “I wasn’t ready to choose a team I didn’t want to go to. I’ll probably go back to Russia if LA doesn’t give me anything.” Once the deal was completed, he quickly committed to the team with a new contract.
Panarin isn’t mad at the Rangers
A consistent points producer and former Rangers leader, he expressed no bitterness toward his old team, even though the perceived lack of commitment influenced his decision not to re-sign in New York.
He’s excited about a fresh start in LA, and the Kings hope he can give the team the scoring opportunity it needs. “I don’t like switching teams back and forth. I’ve played with three teams in the NHL… I have two kids, a dog, a wife… It’s just too much hassle. And I also feel like I don’t want to be rented for a few months and then go somewhere else. I’m just looking for a team that wants me.”
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