The New York Rangers have Artemi Panarin under contract until July 1. But they are not in a hurry to lock down the superstar winger — even while watching other players sign early-season contract extensions this week.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Rangers are in “no hurry” to sign Panarin, who is in the final year of the seven-year contract he signed after the 2018-19 season.
Panarin has led the Rangers in points every year he’s been a member of the Blueshirts yet is off to a un-Panarin-like start under first-year coach Mike Sullivan. The 34-year-old has just seven points in 12 games and has been held off the scoresheet in four straight amid the Rangers’ 5-5-2 start.
Term Is The Main Hold Up With Artemi Panarin Contract Negotiations
With the NHL salary slated to rise to $104 million next season, and the Rangers one of the highest-spending big-market clubs in hockey, Panarin’s next deal is likely to even exceed the $11.642 million AAV of his current contract.
So even though similar players Martin Necas and Logan Cooley each locked in eight-year contracts with his respective team — which will likely drive up the cost of the 2016 Calder Trophy winner — New York is reportedly in no rush to engage with Panarin on a contract.
“The New York Rangers have a ton of respect and appreciation for what Artemi Panarin has done for them, and thatâs not to say it wonât continue past this season,” LeBrun reported. “But for the moment, my sense of the situation is that itâs very early in the season under new head coach Mike Sullivan, the Rangers want to see how things go and therefore are not in a hurry to get going more seriously on talks to extend the pending UFA winger.”
It’s easy to forget Panarin entered the NHL as a 24-year-old — about five years older than Connor McDavid despite the fact they were both rookies in 2015-16. That makes this likely Panarin’s last long-term deal, and according to LeBrun, he’ll want to cash in with agent Paul Theofanous, which is where there is a disconnect with the Rangers.
“If and when those talks get going again in a meaningful way, term may be the issue,” LeBrun reported. “Panarin turned 34 on Thursday. I donât think heâll be open to a short-term deal, which would probably be the Rangersâ preference. Panarin is repped by Paul Theofanous, the same agent who squeezed another million a year from the Minnesota Wild after turning down a whopping $16 million per season for Kirill Kaprizov.”
Artemi Panarin’s Days In New York Could Be Numbered
Panarin has been a highly productive point producer throughout his tenure with the NHL, but it’s possible his days in New York are numbered.
With the Rangers overhauling veterans — they traded Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks in separate deals among others — Panarin could find his way out of New York.
Panarin has been the subject of trade rumors, and he could end up as the No. 1 potential rental if the Rangers season goes sideways. New York general manager Chris Drury, emboldened by a recently signed contract extension, could opt to save Panarin’s cap hit and spread the wealth around on more depth.
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