Rangers Daily: What’s most important to Panarin; epic NHL outdoor madness
Something Elliotte Friedman said Friday about Artemi Panarin and the New York Rangers journey to trade their leading scorer rattled around in my head all weekend.
“The Rangers probably have to figure out where he wants to go, and he has to figure out where he wants to go,” Friedman stated on his 32 Thoughts podcast. “Like, what’s most important to him? Who can give him the biggest contract? Or a fit or a location?”
It’s that one line: What’s most important to him?
Elliotte doesn’t know. I don’t know. You don’t know. Maybe the Rangers don’t know.
But since Panarin is driving his own trade thanks to that no-move clause in his contract, the most important aspect of where he finally ends up is what’s most important to Panarin in this process.
Money, fit, location, prior relationships, best chance to win the Stanley Cup. They’re all super important factors. But what is the No. 1 driving force for Panarin to choose one possible destination over another?
Remember, this is his free agency moment, five months before July 1, since it’s reported he needs a contract extension in place with a new team before he waives that no-move clause. And we know that he turned down a team-friendly extension from the Rangers in the Fall. So, not shockingly, money matters here, as it always does. Friedman reported that Panarin and his agent want to hit $50 million with his next contract, even though he’ll be 35 years old next season.
But is that the be-all, end-all for Panarin? Or might a chance to win the Cup, or a preference for this locale over that, trump the final dollar total? It all matters. But what matters most?
We don’t know yet. We may know soon enough, perhaps this week before the NHL roster freeze for the Olympic break begins Wednesday. And certainly before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Scott Morrow’s next challenge for regular playing time with the Rangers comes from his former prep school teammate Vincent Iorio, another right-shot defenseman whom the Rangers added to the mix this past weekend.
And here’s our original breakdown of the Rangers claiming Iorio off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
So, do the Rangers need to retool, rebuild, or blow this whole thing up and start from scratch? Our John Kreiser weighs in. Oh, and, like you, he’s not too happy. Just saying …
By the way, don’t be fooled by that third-period comeback that nearly stole the Rangers a point or two against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. It was nice and all, but what’s most important is how they ended up in a 5-1 hole to begin with. Same old, same old. Check out our key Rangers takeaways from their latest loss.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnet: The 45th outdoor game in NHL history just may have been the greatest one yet, or at least the most memorable. It started with crazy off-ice theater, and ended with Jon Cooper — wearing the coolest coaching garb ever — lighting up a cigar as he strolled off the ice after his Tampa Bay Lightning rallied for a 6-5 shootout win over the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. The Lightning erased a 5-1 deficit; there was a massive goalie fight; David Pastrnak’s overtime goal was called off because of his own penalty before the actual shot; and this game fittingly ended with Pastrnak hitting the post on the final shootout attempt.
NHL.com: Amalie Benjamin’s postgame column does a helluva job capturing the spirit of all that took place Sunday night in the 2026 Stadium Series.
NHL.com: Seriously, who’s got it better — and does it better — than Jon Cooper? Mike Zeisberger’s column does justice to the Lightning coach, who also is Canada’s bench boss at the Milan-Cortina Olympics later this month.
Daily Faceoff: One downer from that epic outdoor game: Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli left early with an injury — not specified by the Lightning, but appeared to be a shoulder issue — after absorbing a hit in the second period.
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman reports that Barry Trotz is stepping down as general manager of the Nashville Predators on Monday.
TSN: The goalie shuffle continued in Edmonton, where the Oilers placed Calvin Pickard on waivers.
Philly Hockey Now: Travis Konecny is red-hot right now for the Flyers. William James tells us that Konecny is pretty pissed, too, about not making Stanley Cup Playoffs every year.
Daily Faceoff: St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas is out until after the Olympic break after undergoing a “minor” procedure on his leg.
Colorado Hockey Now: Will Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog also wear the C for Sweden in the upcoming Olympics? Aarif Deen breaks down the likelihood.
