Artemi Panarin’s days as a New York Ranger appear to be officially numbered, with news breaking that the organization is holding him out of all upcoming games for “roster management” purposes. He isn’t expected to suit up again before the NHL Olympic roster freeze, which begins at 3 p.m. ET on February 4 and lasts until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 22.
Panarin, the Rangers’ leading scorer and a pending free agent, has become the crown jewel of this year’s trade deadline. The arms race for his services is about to get chaotic.
His arrival in 2019 came barely a year after the team issued Letter 1.0 — the franchise’s promise to rebuild into a sustainable contender. Then Panarin unexpectedly hit the market, and the Rangers tore up the blueprint to sign him. Since then, he’s led the team in scoring every season, earned a Hart Trophy finalist nod, played a major role in two trips to the Eastern Conference Final, and helped set franchise records for wins and points on a Presidents’ Trophy–winning squad.
Insiders have linked teams such as the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors. Basically, if a team thinks it has a real shot at the Cup contention, it’s at least kicking tires on Panarin.
What the Rangers ultimately get for him may hinge on whether he’s willing to sign an extension as part of a deal. There’s also the possibility he prefers to join a new team now and keep all his options open for free agency in July.
Digging into the timing
The fact that the Rangers are trading the Breadman isn’t surprising. The timing, though, absolutely is. The Rangers have only three games between now and the roster freeze on February 4, which means Chris Drury must believe he’s extremely close to a deal to pull Panarin out of the lineup this early.
There are pros and cons to this approach. The pros: Drury protects his biggest trade asset and eliminates the risk of an injury nuking a potential blockbuster. The cons: trading him this far ahead of the March 4 deadline likely limits how high the bidding war can climb.
And make no mistake — a bidding war is brewing for the Rangers’ most electric Russian scorer. Moving him before that war fully matures feels like cutting off your own leverage at the knees.
For Rangers fans, this is a gut punch. We’ve basically seen the last of Artemi Panarin in a Blueshirt before we even had time to process it. And let’s be honest: Rangers brass has never prioritized fan emotions when business is on the table — no matter how many carefully worded letters they release.
We can safely assume Drury already has multiple offers he likes and is weighing them right now. Until something finalizes, we’re all just guessing where and when Panarin will be moved. But Drury clearly thinks he’s close if he’s willing to sit the Breadman for the four games between now and the freeze.
A trade could drop tonight, tomorrow, next week, or not until after February 22. It’s impossible to pin down. But one thing worth noting: Panarin, being of Russian descent, will not participate in the Olympic Games due to the IOC’s ban on Russian athletes stemming from the war in Ukraine.
That makes a pre‑Olympic‑break trade even more logical. Panarin could be moved just before the freeze and then use the 19‑day NHL break to settle in with his new team.
So stay tuned — the Rangers’ carnival‑ride season marches on. Cue the clown music.