Rangers Daily: Making ‘sense’ of potential Artemi Panarin trade
Kudos to The Athletic for a fun read and pretty good overview about which teams might be in on trying to swing a trade with the New York Rangers for pending UFA Artemi Panarin.
There are four categories for beat reporters from each team to consider in this exercise — Trading for Panarin makes a lot of sense; Trading for Panarin makes some sense; Trading for Panarin makes a little bit of sense; and Trading for Panarin makes no sense.
Only two teams ended up in the “a lot of sense” category: the Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals. Arguments were similar for each team — urgency to win now, available salary cap space, intriguing trade fodder including draft capital, prospects and young NHL-ready talent.
Six teams were in the “makes some sense” category, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. The biggest issue with each of those teams is that neither has much of anything in terms of prospects and/or draft capital to significantly interest the Rangers.
Though many hockey experts project the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche as prime destinations for Panarin, each landed in the “makes a little bit of sense” pool. Cory Lavalette’s take from the Carolina point of view was excellent. “The Hurricanes are chock-full of wingers, and Panarin’s defensive shortcomings would likely give coach Rod Brind’Amour fits.” That said, the Hurricanes are always in on available big-name players.
The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders also were among the 11 teams in the “little bit of sense” group.
The largest group, though, was the “makes no sense” one. A bit surprisingly, the San Jose Sharks were among the 12 teams in this category, as were the Vegas Golden Knights, who recently swung a a big trade for defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
Of course, what matters most is what Panarin wants. The 34-year-old has a no-move clause. So, ultimately, Panarin goes where he wants, and he certainly hasn’t shed any light on which — or how many — teams he’d waive the no-move clause for.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Is Igor Shesterkin the only untouchable player in this latest Rangers retooling of the roster? A pair of TNT hockey analysts believe that’s the case.
Breaking down why this “restless franchise” embarked on a retool and not a rebuild — perhaps it’s more than semantics.
Not a big surprise, but a respected NHL insider confirmed that J.T. Miller won’t be part of “any exodus of players that leave New York” during this next chapter for the Rangers organization.
NHL news and rumors
New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols has the latest on Luke Hughes, who was placed on LTIR by the Devils with a separated shoulder.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun weighs in about how historic NHL parity could affect the March 6 trade deadline.
NHL.com: Seth Jones is out with an upper-body injury and unable to participate in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, so he was replaced on the United States roster by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson Lacombe.
Daily Faceoff: The Buffalo Sabres signed forward Josh Doan to a seven-year contract, worth $6.95 million annually.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Shelly Anderson breaks down all that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said during a media session with reporters, including the organization’s approach to acquiring under-the-radar players in need of a second chance.
Sportsnet: Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson sustained a lower-body injury early in the first period of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Philly Hockey Now: William James breaks down how the Flyers “sank in pressure situations” during a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth, after racing to leads of 3-0 and 4-2.
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers apparently dodged another injury, this time with former Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola.
