Latest on Artemi Panarin's Uncertain Future With NY Rangers

Artemi Panarin skates in warmup for New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have undergone a tumultuous year, dropping from Presidents' Trophy winners with 114 points in 2023-24, to 85 points and missing the playoffs last season. Their roster has undergone a major overhaul during the last 12 months as well.

More than half the team has been jettisoned since that Presidents' Trophy squad, and Artemi Panarin is one of only five players who have been with the team for five or more years. But, heading into the final season of his seven-year, $11.6 million AAV deal, will he make it through the year as a Ranger? He's been eligible for an extension since July 1, but there's absolutely no word on anything being discussed.

Insider Frank Seravalli was asked if he could see the Blueshirts moving Panarin by the trade deadline:

I could for sure see (a trade) happening if the Rangers are out (of playoff contention).
But I’m going to tell you this: I don’t think the Rangers are going to be out. I have the Rangers as a playoff team. I have the Rangers as a bounce-back team.
New coach, new environment, new mood... I think they can reinvent themselves in a pretty big way this upcoming season. I've got the Rangers in, and if the Rangers are in, I would assume at some point that means finding a deal for Artemi Panarin that makes sense on an extension.

Panarin, who'll be 34 this season, is projected to earn a four-year deal with a $10.2 million AAV on his next contract, per AFP Analytics. The Rangers currently have just over $26 million in cap space for next summer. Assuming they hold onto him, they'll have a massive decision to make.

One scout told Peter Baugh in The Athletic recently that Panarin should age well with his skill set. “A smaller, more skilled shifty guy like Panarin, I feel like he could play for a good handful more years.”

“I do think his game will age just because of how smart he is and his skill level,” added another scout. “That’s a very rare find, and I think that he will be able to adapt even as maybe his legs fall off a little bit.”

Seravalli agrees.

"I've got lots of faith in Artemi Panarin and I think there's a deal on the table that makes sense for both sides, or will be at some point during this upcoming season. Let's see how that plays out."

Panarin has led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six seasons and ranks first in franchise history in points per game (1.28).