After 205 goals and 402 assists in 482 games, good for a franchise-leading 1.26 P/GP, Artemi Panarin has played his last game as a Ranger.
Undoubtedly the best free agent signing in franchise history, beloved by the city and always performed with a signature flair and pizzazz.
Let me put it this way. Carson Soucy scoring against the Rangers in an Islanders sweater the other night is a burp that could be confused for throwing up in your mouth. As a fanbase, we can handle it. Unpleasant, but do-able. Artemi Panarin scoring against the Rangers for years on end in a Capitals, Hurricanes or Panthers jersey is projectile vomit. Must be avoided at all costs.
So where should he go? If I’m Chris Drury, I’m being upfront in communicating a tax on all Metro Division GM’s (+Florida). If you want Panarin, you must come in with an offer that’s head and shoulders above the rest. Where our fanbase is able to ratio and flood your admin X account’s mentions with “fleeeeced!!”. Otherwise, the Bread Man will be dealt to a neutral party. In return for crawling through glass this season and the last, I’d hope Drury would do us all a solid in that regard.
Ship him off to San Jose to snap it around with Celebrini, or to Dallas to bask in the no state tax, or better yet Colorado for his best chance at winning a Cup.
At some point in this saga, it became common knowledge that the Rangers are looking for a package in line with what Colorado traded for Brock Nelson at the deadline in 2025. That return was forward prospect Calum Ritchie, defenseman Oliver Kylington, a conditional first-round draft pick and a conditional third-round draft pick. If this is a strategic leak from Rangers brass, it’s brilliant. It’s establishing a minimum for all suitors, which is realistically half the league. If you aren’t willing to pony up to at least Brock Nelson’s return, take a hike.
I would’ve guessed Panarin would want to sign with an attractive team right now, perform in the playoffs, potentially win a Cup and then cash in over the summer with a new contract. Instead, it’s being reported that he’s looking for an extension as a part of this move. Advantage, Rangers at the negotiating table. This gives them the leverage to covet a return that not only represents his services for the rest of this year, but 3, 4, 5 years of his future production. People forget, Panarin endeared himself to the fanbase by choosing to sign with the Rangers over the Islanders (for less money!) in the summer of 2019. Now, he’s doing us an indirect favor again on the way out.
So who actually has the capacity and willingness to go longer term? Based on what Elliotte Friedman of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast (the authority on all things behind the scenes) is reporting, the extension stipulation is making it difficult on teams that are interested. Not everyone has the luxury of fitting Panarin’s clunky puzzle piece into the constraints of the salary cap. Elliotte is claiming Florida, San Jose, Anaheim Colorado and Minnesota are in this bucket. Dallas is as well, as they need to figure out whether to sign Jason Robertson or not. Teams that Elliotte speculates may be game for an extension are Los Angeles, Washington, Carolina, and Detroit. If it’s true Panarin is demanding an extension those are (unfortunately) the organizations that are best positioned to win the sweepstakes. He notes that teams lurking in the shadows of talks might be Vegas, Utah, Philly and the Islanders.
I’ll go out on a limb and say he signs in Detroit. They’re much weaker at the center position than at the wing, but maybe Yzerman could finesse a mega deal that includes Vincent Trocheck. This way, Panarin can maintain the familiarity with his centerman, and Detroit is able to slot Andrew Copp down to the third line for added depth. Plus, Panarin would be reunited with Patrick Kane on at least the powerplay, and maybe line combinations if they’re jumbled around to accommodate it. I won’t pretend to know the exact return, but it’ll have to include multiple first-round picks and Detroit’s top defensive or center prospect. I’m thinking of Axel Sandin-Pellikka or Nate Danielson. Stevie Y doesn’t overpay, but he also knows what it takes to win, and Panarin + Trocheck instantly makes them a Cup contender.
Whatever the outcome, I’m going into this with the mindset of a dentist appointment. I just want it to be quick, as painless as possible and come out the other side feeling slightly better than I thought I would.
geryblogs 
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