With eyes set on forgetting the 2024-25 New York Rangers meltdown, and instead focusing on coming back even better next season, there are a ton of questions still looming. Can the Rangers get back to normalcy? Will they be able to keep this team sustainable past the 2025-26 season? Should they look at the biggest free agent target in NHL history, Connor McDavid?
There is also one more question that must be answered, and getting to the answer as quick as possible is best. Is this the last year that Artemi Panarin wears the Rangers crest?
With his seven-year, $81.5 million contract set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, the Rangers have a huge decision to make. Do they let him walk in hopes of grabbing an even bigger fish in the offseason, or do they keep the Breadman on broadway?
Letting him go
For this team to move forward, there has to be a clear cut plan for the future. Looking at the entire length of Panarin's six years with the Blueshirts, you can argue that he made an everlasting impact that he is worth every penny of that $81.5 million. But, can the Rangers continue to fit him into the salary cap, and build this team back up.
Looking at the contract table, the Rangers currently have $777,976 of salary cap remaining. Panarin is joined by Johnny Brodzinski, Braden Schneider, Carson Saucy, Scott Morrow, and Jonathan Quick with expiring contracts at the end of the 2025-26 season. To make way for an easier offseason, and with two first-round picks in hand, the Rangers can utilize the trade deadline next season to secure the best player in the game.
Letting Panarin go to make way for a bigger fish like McDavid, in a trade, might be beneficial for all parties involved. Rangers get the best player in the league by far, and can afford to pay him whatever and however long he wants. And Panarin goes to Edmonton, a playoff contender that is still one of the top teams in the NHL.
Keeping him home
After spending two brief stints with both Columbus and Chicago, this is the longest Panarin has stayed in one place during his 10-year career. He has made New York City his home, and the Rangers faithful have embraced him night-in and night-out.
It really all comes down to whether or not Panarin improves in his contract year, or if he continues to slide like he did last season. The 2024-25 season was not glorious whatsoever, and Panarin showcased that with a down year of 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points. A repeat stat-line like that next season should not warrant another $11+ million AAV deal.
As he approaches the second-half of his thirties, and after finding his home, he could be a candidate for a home-town discount. It is a big if, but if there is any player that would take a little bit of money off of his deal for the betterment of the team, it is the Breadman.