Rangers Daily: ‘Private conversations’ about Artemi Panarin negotiations
Chris Drury had plenty to say on the first day of New York Rangers training camp Wednesday. But the Rangers general manager wouldn’t divulge anything about a possible contract extension for star forward Artemi Panarin.
This isn’t a surprise. That’s not Drury’s style. Mum’s the word is his preferred modus operandi.
And, to be honest, that’s exactly what you want from your GM. Let him work quietly behind closed doors. Very little good comes from bringing strategy or negotiations out into the open for everyone to know.
But you can’t blame reporters for asking, of course. We have a job to do, too.
“As far as the contract stuff … I don’t get into negotiations publicly,” Drury explained. “Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private between me and him.”
So, we have no idea if the sides are talking about an extension. The 33-year-old forward is eligible for one now, with one season remaining on his seven-year, $81.5 million contract.
It’s a huge decision for the Rangers. Panarin’s led them in scoring each of his first six seasons on Broadway. He had 37 goals and 89 points last season. The year before, Panarin scored a career-high 49 goals and his 120 points were second most in Rangers history.
Panarin will be 34 next summer. But if he continues to produce this way, he’s going to command major bucks and a serious commitment late into his 30s.
We don’t know what Drury thinks about all that. But we do know the GM is well aware of how important Panarin is to this organization. There’s no player on the roster or in the Rangers pipeline that comes close to what Panarin brings offensively.
“I’ve said many times on record what I think of him as a player and he’s a huge piece of our team and our organization,” Drury said. “He doesn’t appear to me to be slowing down. He takes the offseason serious, he looks like he’s in great shape and ready to go.”
New coach Mike Sullivan called Panarin a “game-breaker” on Wednesday. Panarin’s recorded 550 points in the past six seasons. Only Connor McDavid (710), Leon Draisaitl (644), and Nathan MacKinnon (633) have more in that time frame. You better believe Sully wants Panarin to stick around.
For what it’s worth, Larry Brooks reported this in the New York Post on Thursday: “There is always chatter, and when it concerns Panarin there is some credible chatter from longtime sources. And that is that the Rangers should not expect No. 10 to sign up anytime soon — or perhaps anytime at all — for a hometown discount.”
As for Panarin, he shed little light on his contract situation following practice Thursday morning. Nor did he seem overly concerned about it.
“That’s obviously good for everyone, security,” Panarin told Mollie Walker of The Post. “It’s not [my] first year in hockey, so I’m used to it, being in that situation. Not every year. It is what it is right now. Not [complaining] about that. I’m ready to work hard.”
Drury’s not saying anything on the subject. But it’s a massive pending decision on his part, one that will dramatically affect the course of the Rangers future one way or another.
New York Rangers news and analysis
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The Rangers hit the ice for the first on-ice sessions at training camp Thursday. Here’s a breakdown of their 61-man roster.
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There’s a definite Rangers feel to the USA Hockey coaching staff for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. Sullivan, of course, is the head coach. His top Rangers assistant, David Quinn, and former Blueshirts coach John Tortorella were named to Team USA’s staff Wednesday, as was Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes.
NHL news and rumors
NHL.com: Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the season with a lower-body injury and likely won’t return until December to the Florida Panthers lineup.
Sportsnet: Goalie Anthony Stolarz said that he’d like a contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs “as soon as possible.”
Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche are dealing with several key injuries. Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood and defenseman Samuel Girard will miss much of training camp, but could be ready to play by opening night. Forward Logan O’Connor had offseason hip surgery and won’t be able to play until November.
TSN: Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund signed a two-year, $6.5 million extension to remain with the club through the 2027-28 season.
Boston.com: The Bruins open training camp without star forward David Pastrnak on the ice. Pasta is dealing with some tendonitis and will skip at least the first few days of practice.
Sportsnet: Max Domi could very well open the season on a line with Auston Matthews. But first the Maple Leafs forward must get healthy. He’s going to miss the first few days of camp with a lower-body injury, after “tweaking” something in offseason training.
TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul is out until November following lower-body surgery last week.
The Hockey News: Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss the start of Buffalo Sabres training camp with a lower-body injury. But general manager Kevyn Adams said Luukkonen should be back “sooner rather than later.”
ESPN: The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, who was an RFA, to a two-year, $3.4 million contract.
Sportsnet: The Utah Mammoth plan to place goalie Connor Ingram on waivers so that he can catch on with another team. Ingram mutually agreed to part ways with the team after he spent time in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
Daily Faceoff: Nathan Walker signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the St. Louis Blues.
