The New York Rangers are officially open for business, and the price tag for their biggest trade chip has just been set according to a leading NHL insider.
During the "Saturday Headlines" segment on Hockey Night in Canada, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided a major update on the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes. Following the release of "The Letter 2.0" and the news that Panarin will not be offered a contract extension, the hockey world has been waiting to see what Chris Drury will demand for the star winger.
Rangers' starting point for a Panarin trade is based off a recent blockbuster
Here is what Friedman had to say when asked for an update by Ron McLean:
"He's the name that everyone's focused on right now and if you'll remember last year Brock Nelson was traded from the Islanders to Colorado and the trade was for Cal Ritchie, a first rounder, and a conditional third, there were other players involved, but those were the key pieces, and it sounds like that's where the Rangers starting point is with Panarin right now, now part of this is also will he be willing to sign an extension, are there places, he has a full no movement clause, so he controls where he goes, but I think some of the teams are wondering could there be an extension as part of this, I think some of the teams are looking around, Anaheim.. Panarin has a history with Joel Quenneville, I think LA has some decisions to make about their overall situation where they are right now and where they truly are as a franchise and what an extension would look like, I think Washington with an extension, and I think there's a bunch of other teams, I'm always conceding Ron that I'm missing teams in on this, but I think that's kinda where the market starts, the trade talks start and some of the teams are trying to figure out what Panarin is willing to do"
Initial thoughts on Friedman's latest report
The main interesting takeaway here is that the Rangers are setting the bar a bit low in their initial ask for Panarin, and it is curious that Drury is reportedly taking that approach. Panarin is a much better player than Nelson, and even though it is possible that him having a NMC could limit the suitors, that shouldn't stop the Rangers from trying to create a bidding war.
Panarin has 56 points in 51 games so far this season, and 606 points in 481 games with the Rangers. Nelson had 43 points in 53 games before being traded, and 574 points in 901 games. He was a center, and although centers usually demand a high price, players like Panarin aren't often available at the trade deadline.
It also seems reasonable that teams may have conditional interest in Panarin depending on whether or not he is open to an extension. He is going to be the top player on the market in July if he doesn't sign a deal between now and then, and teams would obviously be willing to pay a higher price if they can get their guy now and lock him up beyond this season.
As for the teams involved, Washington makes a lot of sense as a team that may want to make one more big run in what could be Alex Ovechkin's final NHL season, and Panarin could be a great player to replace his offense going forward. The Ducks are an interesting team, and it would reunite Panarin with former running mate Ryan Strome, as well as Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, and the aforementioned Coach Q. The Kings were also mentioned in Friedman's report, but if there were a California team to get Panarin, it feels like Anaheim's youth movement, and stable of familiar faces could be enough to convince Panarin to join.
Then there's the obvious caveat of mystery teams Friedman can't quite identify, and that seems to be a thing each and every silly season. In any case, as the Rangers keep on losing games, it feels like the noise around their players will get louder. The Olympic break is quickly approaching, and it feels like the Rangers would prefer getting some busy done sooner rather than later, and lock in a return to avoid potentially missing out if a player were to get injured. We shall certainly see if that ends up being the case.