Artemi Panarin has likely played his last game for the New York Rangers. The team sidelined Panarin in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders for “roster management” reasons. Panarin has found himself in significant trade rumors, as the team attempts to shop its star players.
This might be it for Artemi Panarin in a Rangers’ uniform
The end of the road has likely come for Panarin.
Wednesday’s benching was only the first step. Per ESPN, the Rangers are expected to sideline Panarin through the Olympic break. NHL rosters will pause from February 4 through February 22. Players can compete for their respective countries in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The Rangers are attempting to move Panarin before the March 6 trade deadline.
The news of Panarin’s impending trade dates back to a letter Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury sent to the fanbase earlier this month. In the letter, Drury explained how the franchise plans to “retool,” not “rebuild.”
“We are not going to stand pat — a shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team. This is not a rebuild,” Drury wrote. “This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects. We will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed and a winning pedigree with a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks, and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward.”
After the letter, Drury met with Panarin and told him that the organization would not be offering him a contract extension.
The Rangers are 22-26-6 (50 points), which is last place in the Eastern Conference.
Artemi Panarin’s contract situation could lead to a trade
The Rangers’ decision to rest a healthy Panarin signals to the league that he will be moved before the deadline, barring an unforeseen change from the organization.
In 2019, Panarin signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with an average annual value of $11.64 million.
The Rangers are not close to competing for a championship. Therefore, re-signing Panarin would not make much sense. Trading their star player for young players and draft assets is the more likely scenario.
Panarin has a full no-movement clause, meaning he can approve or deny any trade. In other words, Panarin controls his own destiny.
Because of his impending free agency, a team trading for Panarin will likely want a verbal commitment about his willingness to sign a contract extension.
Panarin has held up his end of the bargain. The 34-year-old winger has led the Rangers in scoring every season since signing the contract.
This season, Panarin leads the team with 57 points — 19 goals and 38 assists — in 52 games.
, qualifying for the postseason in four of the last six seasons.
Rangers begin their retooling phase
A deal involving Panarin is inevitable, but not imminent.
In the meantime, Drury began the retooling phase by trading defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders for a 2026 third-round pick.
Soucy is only the first domino to fall. Panarin will be next.
It’s unknown if the Rangers will try to trade Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere before March’s trade deadline.