Rangers 1994 Cup winner suggests possible Artemi Panarin contract outcome
With unrestricted free agency on the horizon for Artemi Panarin next July 1, the clock is most definitely ticking for the New York Rangers and their leading scorer to figure out if his hockey future is in The Big Apple or elsewhere.
Former Rangers forward and 1994 Stanley Cup champion Alexei Kovalev suggested in a recent interview that elsewhere could also mean Panarin leaves the NHL.
“There are even talks that he wants to leave the NHL altogether and go back to Russia,” Kovalev told RG.org. “I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s what people here are saying.”
Considering his outspoken critique of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, it’s difficult to believe that’s Panarin’s first choice. Just four years ago, Panarin took a leave of absence from the Rangers when a story surfaced back home that he engaged in a physical altercation with an 18-year-old woman 10 years prior. The Rangers called the report “an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.”
But Kovalev isn’t completely out of line to suggest Russia as a possible destination for Panarin. Many Russia-born players return to their native country to play in the KHL after their NHL careers are over.
Former Rangers star warns Artemi Panarin ‘Money is not always the main thing’
If Panarin doesn’t sign an extension with the Rangers and hits the open market next summer, he’ll, arguably, be the most attractive player available in free agency. That should result in a sizeable pay day, even though he will turn 35 next season.
Panarin is finishing up a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the Rangers that he signed July 1, 2019. The flashy forward’s lived up to the high price tag ($11.64 million annually), leading the Rangers in scoring each of his six seasons on Broadway, and again pacing them in 2025-26 with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 21 games despite a slow start.
Since signing that contract, only four NHL players have more points than Panarin (569): Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (742), his Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl (670), Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (646), and Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (576). That’s pretty darn good company to keep.
Reportedly, Panarin turned down a team-friendly contract offer from the Rangers a couple months ago. A hometown discount doesn’t appear in the cards, especially now that Panarin is the biggest star available July 1.
McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, and Martin Necas are among the stars who re-upped with their current teams instead of becoming UFAs next summer. That leaves Panarin and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres in prime position to cash in.
Kovalev cautioned Panarin not to make his next big decision based solely on dollars, however.
“I once made my own mistake when I left for Ottawa (before the 2009-10 season) … But for me, it was a matter of principle when I left Montreal. I wanted to feel respected,” Kovalev explained. “Still, you shouldn’t push too hard for that. Money is not always the main thing, far from it. What matters most is the place, the comfort, the people. Sometimes, you can give up some money and still enjoy the team and the environment.”
Though Panarin has a full no-move clause in his contract, the Rangers could ask him to waive it ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline in March. It’s hard to envision New York heading into the offseason with Panarin unsigned.
