NHL Rumors: Rangers Implored to Look At Panarin Trades

NY Rangers forward Artemi Panarin skates with puck

With so many of the top pending UFAs now locked up to new extensions with their current teams, next summer's free agent frenzy has been greatly diminished at the top end. But one name—the No. 1 name—that we haven't been hearing much about, Artemi Panarin, is starting to emerge in trade talk.

The New York Rangers' leading scorer is wrapping up a seven-year, $11.6 million AAV deal. But at the age of 34, there are a lot of questions about what kind of deal, at least in term, he'll be able to command. There's been virtually no talk at all of an extension in New York, and according to James Murphy in rg.org, trade buzz is picking up, and one NHL source told him, “I heard his name out there leading into the Holiday Roster Freeze."

But with star goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox going on injured reserve, it might be time to act.

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, appearing on Daily Faceoff Live this week, implored the Blueshirts to take action already on the star forward:

The Rangers for example, if we're not gonna compete for a Stanley Cup realistically, then what are we doing here with Artemi Panarin? Let's take some calls, let's see what the options are gonna be.

It sounds like Pagnotta might get his wish, as another source told Murphy that Rangers GM Chris Drury will be itching to send a shockwave through his locker room if the Rangers don't turn things around and make a run to get into serious playoff position very soon.

“Drury won’t wait much longer,” said Murphy's source. “He was poking around on the trade market and he’s let it be known, he’s not afraid to move a big name off his roster, too. If he makes an impact move, it’s going to be a roster player for a roster player, and it will be a shakeup move to send a message to that dressing room.”

The Olympic roster freeze is Feb. 4, and then the trade deadline is March 6th.