The New York Rangers are 3-4-1 with seven points in eight games to start their season, they've yet to win a game at home, and have just one goal at Madison Square Garden. Safe to say that the Rangers under Mike Sullivan aren't off to the start they'd like, and that has resulted in some less than rational reactions from fans, and some speculation from those who cover the game. One major storyline of the season is the fate of Artemi Panarin, and his future is back in the news again today.
NHL Insider confident that Drury won't be afraid to attempt bold move
Frank Seravalli spoke about Panarin, and the Rangers, on his most recent stream for B/R Open Ice, and he shared his thoughts on what could happen around the deadline.
Seravalli said, "Do I think Chris Drury will be afraid to trade Artemi Panarin at the deadline if they're going nowhere? No, I don't."
This isn't exactly breaking news, as we've already seen players like Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Lindgren, and Barclay Goodrow sent away in recent years. Panarin is in the final year of his contract, and he does hold a no-movement clause. If he's determined to spend the rest of the year in New York, and then test free agency, that's what will happen.
Panarin may be willing to move on for right situation
But Panarin is playing for a new contract, and after already turning down a team friendly request from the Blueshirts, he's clearly trying to maximize on his future earnings.
The best way to do that is have a good regular year, and have success in the playoffs. Joining a new team for a playoff run would also give him an opportunity to assess if that team is where he'd want to sign in free agency, and would make that process easier for himself.
In any case, this is only a story right now because the team has struggled a bit out of the gate. Panarin's production has picked up, and the Rangers remain confident in their process, and this may blow over if the wins start coming the Blueshirts' way in the coming weeks.