.jpg?w=1280 "Artemi Panarin Landing Spots")
5 Landing Spots for Artemi Panarin amid NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
On July 1, 2019, Artemi Panarin signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the New York Rangers. He quickly established himself among the league's top-10 scorers during that period as the team reached the Eastern Conference Final twice and won the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24.
However, the Rangers fell apart last season, prompting general manager Chris Drury to shake up the roster by trading veterans who no longer fit into their plans for players who could provide more immediate help.
Midway through this season, the Rangers are still struggling to remain in playoff contention. With starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin and top defenseman Adam Fox sidelined by injuries, Drury could be forced to become a seller at the March 6 trade deadline.
Panarin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He would be the biggest name in this summer's open market. On Nov. 5, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported the 34-year-old told management he wouldn't accept a pay cut to stay in New York, prompting speculation he could be moved by the trade deadline.
Given the uncertainty over Panarin's future in New York, we have him at No. 6 on our January NHL Trade Block Big Board.
With the Rangers officially waiving the white flag on the season and general manager Chris Drury having a 1-on-1 meeting with him, it appears "The Breadman's" days in the Big Apple are numbered.
Panarin holds complete control over the situation and may prefer moving only to a Stanley Cup contender. The more teams he's willing to go to, the better the odds for New York to get a decent return.
Here's a look at five potential destinations and what the Rangers could seek from each club.
Carolina Hurricanes
1 of 5
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky proved last season that he's willing to make bold moves.
Last January, he acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in a multi-player, three-team deal. When the Finn was unwilling to sign an extension, Tulsky shipped him to the Dallas Stars at the March trade deadline.
The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference Final in 2022-23 and 2024-25, but they came up short in their quest to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Tulsky could attempt another major move by the March trade deadline for that final piece of the championship puzzle.
With a whopping $35.3 million in trade-deadline cap space, the Hurricanes are well-positioned to make a significant move in the trade market before March 6. Tulsky might consider pursuing a big-name star such as Artemi Panarin to push his club over the top.
The Hurricanes have Nikolaj Ehlers as their first-line left wing, with veteran Taylor Hall on the second line. Panarin's elite playmaking skills would fit in well on either line, enabling Hall to drop down to the third line.
Tulsky won't part with a good young roster player such as defenseman Alexander Nikishin or forwards Jackson Blake or Logan Stankoven. He probably won't give up his 2026 first-rounder given he has only two sixth-rounders beyond that. The Rangers could seek prospects such as Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sörum.
Detroit Red Wings
2 of 5
It's been nine seasons since the Detroit Red Wings made the playoffs. They're currently jockeying for first place in the tightly packed Eastern Conference standings.
However, they were in playoff position in each of the last two seasons before faltering down the stretch and falling out of contention.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman isn't currently under pressure to become a buyer in the trade market. However, he was criticized for not making a major move before last season's deadline, with team captain Dylan Larkin expressing his frustration at the end of the season.
On Jan. 6, RG.org's James Murphy reported a league source told him that Rangers GM Chris Drury is willing to make a big move this season. That source wondered if the Red Wings might be among the clubs interested in Panarin if he becomes available in the trade market.
Yzerman's club is well-positioned to make a big trade, carrying an eye-popping $60.3 million in projected trade deadline cap space. The Red Wings also have depth in promising youngsters such as goaltender Trey Augustine and forwards Carter Bear and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, who could entice the Rangers.
The Red Wings also have veteran winger Patrick Kane, who was Panarin's linemate during the latter's early seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. The two were briefly reunited during Kane's brief tenure with the Rangers in 2023.
Perhaps another opportunity to play with Kane will be enticing for Panarin.
Los Angeles Kings
3 of 5
The Los Angeles Kings have reached the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, only to be eliminated in the opening round by the Edmonton Oilers.
With this season being the last for captain and first-line center Anze Kopitar, the Kings might consider adding an elite winger to give him one last run at the Stanley Cup.
The Kings' long-term need is finding depth at center, especially when Quinton Byfield takes over the first-line center role from the departing Kopitar. In the short term, though, Kings general manager Ken Holland could consider adding an offensive star such as Artemi Panarin.
With a projected $24.3 million in trade deadline cap space, the Kings have plenty of payroll room to take on Panarin. They also have extra picks in the second, third, and sixth rounds of this year's draft to put into a trade package.
Rangers management could prefer a return that includes a young NHL player or a top prospect. The Kings don't have as deep a prospect pipeline as other teams, and the Rangers could prefer a roster player such as Alex Laferriere.
What could work to the Kings' advantage is if Panarin has them among a very short list of destinations. If they were to be the only destination, they might get him for considerably less than market value, costing only a couple of draft picks and a mid-range prospect.
Vegas Golden Knights
4 of 5
It seems like the Vegas Golden Knights are always sniffing around for an elite talent near the trade deadline. They've been successful in the past, landing winger Mark Stone in 2019 and winger Tomas Hertl and defenseman Noah Hanifin in 2024.
With the bulk of Panarin's $11.6 million cap hit being paid out by March 6, the Golden Knights could have sufficient wiggle room to acquire him. They have $4.3 million in projected trade deadline cap space.
The Golden Knights have been in "win-now" mode since their debut in 2017-18. They usually find a way to land big stars, with the latest being their acquisition of winger Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs last June.
Panarin could interest the Golden Knights, whose offense could use a boost this season. The opportunity for them to land another elite offensive star, even as a playoff rental, could be irresistible. It could work to their benefit if they're among a limited list of Panarin's preferred trade destinations.
The Golden Knights have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice draft picks and prospects to acquire immediate roster help. They don't have a first-round pick in this year's draft, but could part with their 2027 first-rounder and prospect forward Trevor Connelly as part of a package for Panarin.
Washington Capitals
5 of 5
The current focus of the Washington Capitals is on remaining in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Lurking over the horizon, however, is the question about Alex Ovechkin's future.
Ovechkin is in the final season of his contract. With his place as the greatest goalscorer in NHL history assured, he could decide to end his tenure with the Capitals and return to Russia to bring his playing days to a close.
During the Jan. 5 episode of DFO Rundown, Jeff Marek speculated the Capitals might attempt to bolster their lineup at the trade deadline to take one final run at the Stanley Cup before Alex Ovechkin retires. He suggested a scenario in which the Capitals acquire Artemi Panarin from the Rangers.
That move could push the Capitals among this season's Cup contenders. Marek also proposed they sign Panarin to a two- or three-year extension. That would make him Ovechkin's replacement, while ensuring they can maintain their place as a contender.
Marek didn't mention what the Capitals would offer for Panarin. With the Rangers carrying two first-rounders in this year's draft, they could seek a promising young player such as Ryan Leonard or Andrew Cristall and a top prospect, such as Cole Hutson, as part of the return.
Standings and stats via NHL.com. Contract and salary-cap info via PuckPedia.
