Ranking the 8 NHL Teams That Need to Trade for the Rangers' Artemi Panarin
If you had a hard time believing the Rangers were actually going to trade star winger Artemi Panarin, it's time to face reality. Since Wednesday, the team has been scratching Panarin from the lineup for asset management reasons.
So, it's only a matter of time until the 34-year-old star forward lands somewhere else, and in a sea of buyers, there are a ridiculous number of landing spot possibilities.
Panarin's got a no-movement clause, so he'll have some agency in the decision. But considering how close the standings are right now, and how many unexpected teams have entered the playoff conversation, he might surprise us with his willingness to waive some of the teams on his no-trade list.
Let's take a look at some of the teams that actually need Panarin and rank them from what makes the least sense to what makes the most sense.
8. San Jose Sharks
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Look, we love the Sharks' come-up -- and the rise of Macklin Celebrini -- as much as anyone. It's great to see a more dramatic rebuild finally panning out, especially with a player as dynamic as Celebrini at the center.
If they keep it up, they could very well end up in the Wild Card spot they currently own by an inch. An acquisition like Kiefer Sherwood was perfect in their situation: He's an inexpensive rental having a career season, and he can provide that extra scoring to ease a top-heavy team. If they like him on the team, they can re-sign him in free agency and keep the good vibes going.
The Sharks are going to have more assets than most teams in the Panarin sweepstakes, but with great buying power comes great responsibility. Should they really surrender any of the top prospects they have developing for a 34-year-old Panarin?
Acquiring and extending Panarin instantly makes your team better, but the cap space that will likely command -- and the roster positioning -- could set a team like this up for failure in the end.
Be careful, San Jose.
7. Vegas Golden Knights
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We know by now that the Vegas Golden Knights can and will exhaust every option when it comes to trading for league stars, but is Panarin really the right fit for this team?
They've got under $4 million in cap space, so they'd have to move a few things around on the roster. With the Knights already in first in the Pacific, is it really worth it to risk messing with team chemistry in depth? Plus, Vegas' power play is functioning quite well and ranks in the top five in the league.
While every team could benefit from a player like Panarin, the Golden Knights and their four million overtime losses already have offensive firepower -- they're a rare team in need of more grit. Winning the Rasmus Andersson sweepstakes was helpful all around in that regard.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
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Logistically, the Lightning pulling off a Panarin trade is a long shot: Despite injury after injury, they haven't got much cap space in the bank to play with. They also don't have a first-round pick until 2028, and their prospects are slim pickings.
Tampa Bay does seem like an enticing destination for the player, though, so could he use some of his pull with the no-movement clause to get there? It sure would be fun for those of us with no dog in the fight to watch, as the Lightning and their stacked offense are the only truly dominant team in the Atlantic.
5. Washington Capitals
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The thought alone of Panarin and Alex Ovechkin playing for the same team is enough for hockey fans to get on board with this one. Then you consider that Ovechkin's retirement is getting close, and it could make sense for Panarin to join the Capitals as a goal-scoring veteran presence.
Plus, the Capitals have a rare combination of prospects with a decent amount of cap space (more than $12 million) and a first-rounder to surrender. They've also got plenty of enticing younger players under contract.
Still, the Capitals have had an interesting season that hasn't quite convinced us they'll even make the playoffs, let alone make a deep run. Maybe they've got that cap space, those young players, and those first-round picks for a reason, and maybe they should hang on to them right now with an inconsistent product on the ice this year.
4. Los Angeles Kings
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The LA Kings are desperate for anything at this point as they lose to the Oilers in the first round year after year -- but they're especially desperate for some star firepower on offense.
They rank fourth-worst in the league with 2.58 goals per game, and they've got the fifth-worst power play operating at 16 percent. Still, they're very much on the playoff bubble and only a few standings points away from a playoff spot.
With Anze Kopitar's retirement looming, a trade and extension for Panarin to revive the team makes sense. And just because it makes so much sense, you have a hard time believing they will actually do it.
3. Florida Panthers
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The Cup hangover -- including a CVS receipt-sized list of injuries -- is finally catching up to the back-to-back champion Panthers. They're out of a playoff spot in the East right now with 59 points, and they've got a lot of catching up to do as the Bruins sit in a Wild Card spot with 67.
The good news? The long list of injuries means the Panthers have some LTIR money to work with, and, obviously, GM Bill Zito is someone you trust to handle this situation.
It seems like the most Panthers-esque situation in the world: Florida is primed to make a second-half comeback with Matthew Tkachuk returning to the lineup, Aleksander Barkov is back skating, and now a league superstar is available on the trade market.
As much as some of us would like to complain about the stars aligning for the Panthers, you have to tip your hat to Zito putting them in every position to win instead.
2. Detroit Red Wings
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It looks like patience is finally paying off for the Yzerplan, as the Red Wings sit in second in the Atlantic with 70 points. The veterans are doing what they need to do, the all-important young stars like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond have shown consistency this year, and even the goaltending isn't half bad.
You know what would be a real cherry on top? A player who makes all of this hard work a little bit easier, like Panarin.
This Red Wings roster deserves some more high-end skill after years of grinding, and Steve Yzerman owes it to them to at least attempt to snag Panarin for this playoff run -- and perhaps beyond. They've got the cap space, draft picks, and pool of young players to get it done. Would Panarin adjust his no-movement clause if need be, in light of the recent success in Detroit (and a reunion with Patrick Kane?)
1. Carolina Hurricanes
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The Canes find themselves in the same position they have for nearly a decade: Dominant, consistent, and confident in the regular season as they sail to the playoffs. Their famous issue is the depths of the post-season, where they typically fall to the big, bad Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
This year looks a bit different -- not many teams are particularly dominant out East, especially not the Panthers who aren't even in a playoff position right now. Could this be the Hurricanes' year?
The Canes are willing to trade for stars, even if it requires mental and physical gymnastics to get there. They've got the cap space and all of their first-round picks -- including an extra in 2028.
It seems like the year for the Hurricanes to really go for it, and Panarin makes sense as a player to help them do that.
Salary cap information provided by Puckpedia.
