The New York Rangers are in an interesting position entering training camp. Even with the roster being torn down a bit, the team is expected to contend for a playoff spot. The team has a new head coach in Mike Sullivan, a new top pairing defenseman in Vladislav Gavrikov, and a new captain in J.T. Miller.
One major question heading into training camp was the status of winger Artemi Panarin, who is entering the final year of his contract. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, general manager Chris Drury said he wasn't going to publicly comment on contract negotiations with Panarin. But Drury spoke highly of Panarin and where his game is currently.
"I've said many times on record what I think of him as a player," said Drury, h/t NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "He's a huge piece of our team and our organization. He does not appear to me to be slowing down. He takes his offseason seriously. He looks like he's in great shape and ready to go."
On Thursday, Panarin reiterated that he wasn't going to discuss contract negotiations in public, and didn't feel there was pressure to sign a new contract before or during the season.
"That's obviously good for everyone to feel that security, but I'm not in my first year in hockey so I'm used to being in those situations, not every year but it is what it is right now," Panarin said. "I'm not complaining right now. I'm ready to work hard."
Considering there is a real chance this could be Panarin's final year under contract with the Rangers, was the deal they signed him to back in 2019 worth it in terms of on-ice production?
Artemi Panarin's contract retrospective with Rangers
The Rangers are no strangers to signing the big fish in free agency, so it was no surprise in the summer of 2019 that they heavily pursued Panarin, who close out his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Rangers and Panarin agreed to a seven-year, $81.5 million contract. The hope was that Panarin would be the superstar that helps lead the team to their fifth Stanley Cup title.
While the Rangers haven't reached the Stanley Cup Final during Panarin's tenure, they did reach the Eastern Conference Finals twice (2022, 2024). In both of those runs to the Eastern Conference Finals, Panarin was incredibly productive. In the 2022 playoffs, Panarin notched 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 20 games. In the 2024 playoffs, Panarin recorded 15 points in 16 games (five goals, 10 assists).
The start of Panarin's tenure was good, putting up over 90 points in three of his first four seasons. But the 2023-24 season was the best year the winger has had in New York. In 82 games, Panarin posted 49 goals (career high), 71 assists, and 120 points (career high).
Last year could be considered a down year for Panarin, as he posted a -9 plus/minus, the worst of his entire career and the only time he reached negative numbers. Still, he did put up 37 goals and 52 assists.
Here's a look at Panarin's numbers throughout his Rangers tenure:
Season | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
2019-20 | 32 | 63 | 95 |
2020-21 | 17 | 41 | 58 |
2021-22 | 22 | 74 | 96 |
2022-23 | 29 | 63 | 92 |
2023-24 | 49 | 71 | 120 |
2024-25 | 37 | 52 | 89 |
Besides the 2020-21 pandemic shortened season, Panarin has been an extremely productive player for the Rangers on the ice. That is what you hope any NHL player produces on a yearly basis.
But there is uncertainty regarding whether the team will bring Panarin back. After all, they have Sullivan as the new head coach, and he was the team's big signing this past summer. Ultimately, he wants to build the team in his image. It's unknown if he would want Drury to re-sign Panarin to another contract when he is 34-years-old. Not to mention, younger superstars such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov could hit free agency, so they will be priority for all teams to sign.