New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin could soon be leaving the Big Apple. The 33-year-old winger is in the final year of his current contract with the team, and there has been no news of any positive extension talks. Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman claimed in September that New York was willing to offer Panarin a fresh contract. Nevertheless, the offer was viewed as team-friendly, and the star rejected the potential deal.
A deal between the two sides could still happen at some point this season. The Rangers, however, are off to a disappointing start to the 2025-26 campaign and could look to offload Panarin (and others) ahead of the trade deadline. New York is currently at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with just eight points.
On the player’s side of things, Panarin would almost certainly receive more money if he became a free agent in the summer of 2026. In fact, Bleacher Report has listed the Rangers winger as the top free agent of the 2026 class following Jack Eichel’s extension with the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
NHL Expert says Artemi Panarin Would be ‘Great Fit’ with Carolina Hurricanes
GettyArtemi Panarin is being linked with a familiar foe.
Panarin will likely have multiple suitors if the Rangers choose to trade him before the March deadline. NHL expert Frank Seravalli is now claiming that the winger would specifically be a “great fit” with the Carolina Hurricanes. “I could see Artemi Panarin as a Cane,” Seravalli stated on Bleacher Report’s NHL Insider Notebook. “That’s one name to keep an eye on for the Carolina Hurricanes.”
“We know that they want to be aggressive. That’s one guy that I would keying in on if the Rangers continue to hover in the very bottom of the standings. Could they convince Artemi Panarin to go to the Carolina Hurricanes? And what would that look like? Because I think that would be a great fit, particularly for a team that also has some Russians (on the roster).”
There is no secret that the Hurricanes are willing to make a major splash in the trade market this season. After all, Carolina is widely regarded as one of the top Stanley Cup contenders in the Eastern Conference and they still have plenty of money to spend. CapWages.com claims that the Canes currently have over $8 million in cap space to play with.
Rangers Recently Made Major Trade with Hurricanes
Potentially making a significant trade with a division rival is less than ideal. Nevertheless, the Rangers dealt defender K’Andre Miller to Carolina before the 2025-26 season began. In return, the Canes sent fellow blueliner Scott Morrow and two draft picks to New York. Miller then agreed to an eight-year, $60 million contract with Carolina.
For any potential trade involving Panarin to happen, he would have to give his blessing. The Russian has a full no-trade clause in his current contract. Ultimately, his decision may come down to New York’s position in the standings, as opposed to possibly making a cup run with a contender. If the Rangers continue to struggle, swapping an aging Panarin with draft picks and/or prospects could be the smart move.
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