Artemi Panarin is set to become a free agent on July 1, 2026, and his future with the New York Rangers remains uncertain. Assembled media had a lot of questions for Panarin on the first day of on-ice activities at training camp, only some of which he decided to answer.
Panarin has continued to decline comment on The Athletic's report from the end of last season about a very serious and appalling off-ice matter. He was also was asked about the lack of a contract extension, something that is expected to be a significant storyline for the 2025-26 Rangers. This was a subject Panarin had thoughts on, considering he has experience being a pending free agent in line to cash in during free agency.
Via Mollie Walker of the New York Post:
“That’s obviously good for everyone, probably, to feel that security,” Panarin said when asked if he would like to have something done before the season. “It’s not [my] first year in hockey, so I’m used to it, being in that situation. Not every year. It is what it is right now. Not [complaining] about that. I’m ready to work hard.”
A year ago you would have expected that it would be a no-brainer for the Rangers to have something taken care of for their leading scorer and best skater. Now that it is September of 2025, there's no reason for the team to rush considering that the 2024-25 season was a down year for Panarin.
It was his worst season statistically since joining the Blueshirts as he averaged just 1.11 points per game with a line of 37-52-89 in 80 games played. Critiquing his level of performance of 89 points and just being 1.11 points per game may seem nitpicky, but it is important in the bigger picture. In an environment where the cap will continue to grow, don't expect an extension to come cheap.
The Rangers need to spend wisely and make sure they take advantage while Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox are in their prime, and give themselves the best chance to snap a title drought that's 31 years and counting.
When you factor in the other top forwards who may be available, the Rangers don't want to price themselves out of significant upgrades who can do more for the team in the coming years either. Panarin has been a great Ranger, but his age 34 and beyond seasons won't have more impact for the organization than Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, or Jack Eichel. Each of those players still have some of their best years ahead of them, whereas Panarin's 2023-24 season might be his peak as a player.
Last season reflects Panarin's lowest point total and points per game average in a single season excluding the COVID shortened season with the Rangers. Panarin dropping from120 points to 89 over the course of a year is something to pay attention to.
For all we know, last season could just be a one-off season for this team in which mostly everyone regressed and played below their abilities and potential. But we don't know that for sure. Panarin's been one of the greatest free agent signings in the history of the league. He has a chance to help the Rangers be a good team this season. But beyond that, there are no guarantees.
The Rangers as constructed are a team that is looking to win now, but a lot of that hinges on Panarin's ability to produce. Everything they do going forward needs to be through the lens of what best helps the team win a championship.
We don't know how the Rangers will perform in year one under new head coach Mike Sullivan. It could very well be an evaluation year in which he sees how capable this team is, and how far it can go as currently constructed. During this time he will be able to see if he has the type of players he needs to be successful.
It remains to be seen if Panarin will be one of those players. Not signing him to an extension, while risky, provides the organization flexibility. And in an NHL where the salary cap is exploding and some teams may have internal caps because they are unequipped to spend big, flexibility can be very valuable for Chris Drury and the Blueshirts.