Artemi Panarin’s MSG return featured a joke Rangers fans didn’t expect

Tuesday night was a weird one for New York Rangers fans. The team was on an unprecedented hot streak (considering how they played this season), and they looked to make it five victories in a row. Their opponents were the Los Angeles Kings, and former star Artemi Panarin, who was traded by the Rangers just before the Olympic break.

The Rangers winning streak reached it's end, as the Kings soundly defeated them 4-1. Panarin, who received a video tribute from the Rangers, notched an assist in a win over his former team.

After the game, Panarin talked with reporters about the game and his Rangers tenure. When asked about facing off against some of his former teammates, Panarin said that he will miss them, but also joked that he hopes that they all get traded to the Kings.

Artemi Panarin jokes he hopes former Rangers teammates get traded to Kings

While Panarin hopes that some of his Rangers teammates can head over to Los Angeles, it's obviously not going to happen. But it goes to show just how much he will miss out on playing with some of his long-time teammates.

Panarin joined the Rangers in 2019 as arguably the biggest free agent signing that summer. The expectation was that the addition of Panarin would help the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup title since 1994. While that didn't happen, the Rangers did make it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice during Panarin's tenure.

With the team heading in the wrong direction this season, the Rangers let it be known that they are open to trading their players. Panarin, who was set to be a free agent this upcoming summer, was one of them. However, Panarin had a full no-trade clause and had final say in where he wanted to go. Panarin informed the Rangers that he would only waive his no-trade clause to go to the Kings. The Rangers received top prospect Liam Greentree, a 2026 conditional third-round pick, and a 2028 conditional fourth-round pick. Then, Panarin and the Kings agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension, with an annual salary of $11 million.

Since joining the Kings, Panarin has three goals and 10 assists in just 10 games. The Kings are currently 28-24-15 for 71 points, tied with the San Jose Sharks for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

As for the Rangers, they have been on fire of late, with Alexis Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault really stepping up since the Panarin trade. Lafreniere was named the first star after notching five goals and two assists during the four game winning streak. As for Perreault, he showcased his incredible chemistry with Mika Zibanejad on the top line since the Rangers' return from the Olympic break. So far this month, Perreault has four goals and six assists.

Panarin is in a different situation than he was in New York. The Rangers are looking to retool their roster, while the Kings are trying to contend for the playoffs. Even so, Panarin still wishes he could play with his old teammates. Maybe part of his wish does come true, and some player do eventually join him in Los Angeles.