NHL Rumors: Rangers & Kings Linked To Blockbuster Trade
Insider Dave Pagnotta reported the Kings aren’t looking to make a coaching change right now, with GM Ken Holland instead prioritizing a legit scoring boost for an offense that’s been near the bottom of the league all season.
With Los Angeles averaging just 2.54 goals per game, the pressure is on to add a true difference-maker who can tilt the ice offensively.
Why the Kings are circling Panarin now
Pagnotta has specifically connected Los Angeles to the idea of checking in on Panarin, along with Buffalo winger Alex Tuch, as the Kings search for that missing finishing punch.
The #NYR aren’t that team anymore. Windows close. That’s just reality of sports. Every team gets a shot, some come close, some win.
— Lauren🏒 (@Ms_NYRangers) January 11, 2026
But Artemi Panarin was the best free-agent signing in Rangers history, and moments like this are the ones I’ll always hold onto.
Not sure how… pic.twitter.com/JI6i6M4I3m
Panarin is absolutely still like the kind of add that changes the feel of a lineup overnight. He’s a Calder Trophy winner (2016), four-time All-Star, and a long-time elite producer, and even in a messy Rangers season, he’s been driving their offense again, sitting at 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 48 games.
What it could cost with the Rangers retooling
This is even a conversation because the New York Rangers have openly shifted into “retool” territory, with GM Chris Drury saying changes are coming and Panarin’s name naturally landing in the spotlight as a pending UFA.
The New York Rangers have informed Artemi Panarin they will NOT offer him a contract extension and will work with his agent on a trade anywhere he wishes to go 😳
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 16, 2026
(via @FriedgeHNIC) pic.twitter.com/Ys78PkWb6M
Sportsnet reported Panarin was informed he won’t be offered an extension, and that the team is prepared to work with him and his agent on a trade to a destination he approves, which matters a lot because he has a full no-move clause.
The money is the other piece: Panarin carries an $11.6 million cap hit, so any Kings push likely means retention, salary going out, or creative roster gymnastics.
The Kings currently have $11.58M in cap space, so they could definitely make something work there.
The trade return would be the only thing that might get tricky. It seems inevitable that the Rangers would ask for the Kings' No. 1 prospect in Liam Greentree as part of the return, plus more, maybe Alex Laferriere.
The Kings also have five picks in the first three rounds of the upcoming draft, but more NHL-ready players in the return would fit what the Rangers are seemingly looking for in a retool, not rebuild.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
