NY Rangers Rumors: Artemi Panarin Becoming Trade Candidate, Says Insider

One insider says we shouldn't be shocked if NY Rangers star forward Artemi Panarin is on the trade block this summer.

The New York Rangers are certainly one of the teams we'll be keeping a close eye on this summer. It was a drama-filled season that saw them trade their captain, Jacob Trouba, amongst other moves that really shook up the locker room and left the team reeling. The coach, Peter Laviolette, was jettisoned after the season, and several big names like Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider could be on the move this offseason as well.

But that's not all. According to insider David Pagnotta, speaking on TSN 690 recently, we shouldn't be surprised if Artemi Panarin is also on the table.

They're going to be a very intriguing team to watch over the June and July months. Not a lot of cap space, especially if they want to get (William) Cuylle and K'Andre Miller signed... I think we're going to hear Zibanejad's name, and I wouldn't be shocked if we hear Artemi Panarin's name either.

Panarin is 5th in the NHL in points-per-game over the last six seasons, at 1.28, trailing only Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl.

The former Calder Trophy winner and All-Star followed up his 120-point season in 2023-24 with an 89-point year this time around, which was actually his lowest total in four seasons.

Panarin is eligible for an extension — but a trade might come first

He's going into the final year of his seven-year, $11.6 million AAV contract, and is eligible for an extension as of July 1st. From the sounds of Pagnotta's report, however, a trade is just as likely an outcome as an extension. The Rangers need cap space with which to work this summer, and Panarin could be a casualty. He does, however, have a full no-move clause — as do Zibanejad and Kreider.

The recent off-ice drama surrounding Panarin adds yet another layer of intrigue to the potential for his exit.

The Rangers finished out of the playoffs this season after winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24. The recent reports that the team is facing 'a foundational shakeup to the core' certainly don't seem overstated.