New York Rangers trade rumors: what we know about Artemi Panarin's future

On July 1st, 2019, the New York Rangers arguably made their greatest signing in franchise history where the team signed superstar Artemi Panarin to a seven-year contract. Since then, Panarin has been more than what the Rangers have hoped for already being ninth in the teams 100 year history in points and first all time in his points per sixty.

Throughout this time the Rangers have been to the playoffs in three straight seasons, being eliminated in two Eastern Conference Finals, now in 2026 it seems as if Panarin's tenure with the Blueshirts is coming to an end. As of writing this article, the Rangers have played the most games in the league and are 24th in points percentage (P%), tied last in the Eastern Conference.

Extension Talks Have Gone Nowhere

During intermission of the Rangers embarrassing 10-2 loss to Boston, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported that contract extension discussions between Panarin and New York have gone "nowhere", it's reported that the offer presented to Artemi's representatives was a short term, team friendly deal, one compared to Anze Kopitar's two-year, $7,000,000M AAV deal with Los Angeles. But that was swiftly rejected as Panarin is looking to cash in on potentially his last big pay day, and in his defense why wouldn't he. Panarin has led his team in points for eight straight years and is still one of the elite wingers in all of hockey.

On the flip side, it would not be wise for Chris Drury to give such a large amount of money to now 34-year old Panarin, the team seems to be stuck in no man's land with its current core and more changes need to be made. The Rangers need to get younger and dealing Panarin can fetch something in-between what the Panthers gave up for Claude Giroux in 2022 (2024-1st, 2023-3rd, plus young forward Owen Tippett) and what Florida gave up for Brad Marchand in 2025 (conditional 2027-2nd, now a 2027-1st).

Possible Trade Destinations

In Elliotte Friedman's most 32-Thoughts podcast he wondered about the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Minnesota Wild as trade partners for Artemi Panarin. Admittedly it would be tough for Colorado and Florida to fit Panarin under the cap. As per PuckPedia, Colorado's only projected to have $5.28M in deadline cap space while Florida is only projected to have $237K. So what other destinations can make the most sense for both sides in a hypothetical deal?

Washington Capitals

The Capitals are projected to accrue $12.7M in deadline cap space, more than enough to theoretically fit Panarin at 50% retained and acquire more. In theory, the Caps also have the compensation to make a Panarin deal work, with the team still having all their first-round picks at their disposal and young-players such as Connor McMichael and prospects such as Milton Gastrin, Terik Parascak, and Lynden Lakovic. If Washington believes Ovechkin could be retiring after this season; having Artemi Panarin as an immediate replacement sounds perfect while the Rangers could easily fetch a first-round pick and solid B-tier prospect.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are on fire right now, being 7-2-1 in their last ten and second in P% in the Atlantic Division. They're projected to carry a whopping $60M in deadline cap space and acquiring Panarin could put them over the edge in clinching a playoff spot for the first time in ten years. Detroit has a plethora of draft picks along with prospects such as Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Shai Buium. They're in prime position to acquire a player of Panarin's caliber, and hey reuniting Kane with Panarin again has to sound fascinating to Steve Yzerman.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are trying to break the worst postseason drought in sports right now, Buffalo hasn't tasted the playoffs since 2011 but things are finally looking up for Buffalo. After firing general manager Kevyn Adams the Sabres are 9-1-0 in their past ten games and sixth in P% among all teams in the Eastern Conference. For the first time in what seems like a lifetime, Buffalo could be legit buyers by this trade deadline with all their first round picks and promising prospects such as Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, and Brodie Diemer. After all, new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has acquired Artemi Panarin in trade before back when he was GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, could he be interested in di

Utah Mammoth

Utah is anticipated to have $26M in deadline cap space and are ninth in P% in the Western Conference, but are also three points behind the Oilers for the first Wild Card. The Mammoth have an abundance of draft picks - including the Rangers own 2026-2nd round pick - to attain a player of Panarin's caliber. Would Utah give the Blueshirts a haul of draft compensation to put them over the hump in the Wild Card race? It's something to keep an eye on for sure.

Final Remarks

There's about seven weeks until the NHL's Trade Deadline and Emily Kaplan has reported that the Rangers aren't expected to do anything before the Olympic roster freeze on the off chance they can put themselves back into playoff contention. But if things continue to cycle downwards it becomes increasingly more likely by the day that Artemi Panarin is playing in his last games as a New York Ranger.