Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the New York Rangers have not inked impending UFA Artemi Panarin to a contract extension. The overall environment in New York has been one of silence regarding the Russian star’s future.
But an interview published by RG Media, courtesy of Sergey Demidov, sheds light on the prospect of Panarin’s future with the Rangers.
Demidov spoke with former Rangers star Alexei Kovalev. In the interview published on November 20, the 1994 Stanley Cup winner made a bombshell claim regarding Panarin’s future with the Rangers and the NHL.
Kovalev stated:
“There are even talks that he wants to leave the NHL altogether and go back to Russia.”
Kovalev added the following caveat to the comments:
“I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s what people here are saying.”
There’s plenty of credibility surrounding Kovalev’s comments. Kovalev and Panarin are countrymen and live within a short distance of one another. As Demidov noted, their closeness to New York offers credibility to the chatter around the Rangers star.
Kovalev also underscored the fact that money isn’t necessarily the biggest issue. In his experience, it’s respect from the team that matters more than anything. So, Panarin could be taking the Rangers’ attitude as a slight to his overall contributions to the team and the NHL at large.
Panarin is in the final year of a seven-year deal with the Rangers. He was eligible to sign an extension back on July 1, but that’s something that has yet to materialize. As it stands, the Russian star could be the biggest free-agent fish next summer.
Kovalev Believes that Panarin Needs Clarity amid Rangers Uncertainty
Demidov noted that Kovalev’s comments underscored Panarin’s need for clarity and control amid the Rangers’ highly uncertain season. The club has put together solid stretches, but has been awful at other times.
In their last game, the Blueshirts failed to muster enough offense, losing 3-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening game of their current West Coast trip. On Thursday night, the Rangers face the NHL’s best team, the Colorado Avalanche.
The game promises to be a major test for the club and Panarin as a whole. Considering the Rangers are riding a two-game skid, Thursday night’s game against the Avalanche is a must-win.
It’s that overall uncertainty that has Panarin pondering a life beyond the NHL.
New York May Trade Panarin If Team Slides
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta speculated that the Rangers could explore a trade for Panarin if the team continues to slide. Pagnotta made the claim back in October during an appearance on the Oilers Nation.
Since then, the chatter and rumors have only intensified. Entering Thursday night’s action, the Rangers are in second-last place in the Metro Division. They’re one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and two points out of third in the division.
Yes, the race remains tight at the moment. But there should be a moment when more separation begins to occur. When that happens, the Blueshirts may have no choice but to sell off pieces amid a potential retool on the fly.
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