The New York Rangers are likely set to lose their best player in the near future. Despite fairly high expectations for the 2025-26 season, the Rangers have struggled, particularly with the puck, throughout the campaign. Assuming the team does not turn things around, they will likely trade Artemi Panarin ahead of the deadline.
The superstar winger is set to become a free agent after the 2025-26 campaign, and extension talks have broken off between the two sides. It was previously revealed that the forward is seeking a massive deal. The Rangers, however, are hoping to sign the star to a team-friendly contract. Because of this, New York will likely opt to trade Panarin rather than see him leave for nothing in the summer.
Losing Panarin would certainly be a blow to Rangers fans. Nevertheless, seeing him sign with a fellow Metropolitan Division team would be even tougher. Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon is now predicting that Panarin will sign with the Carolina Hurricanes in the summer. If so, the star would only be a rental for a Stanley Cup contender if traded during the current campaign.
The Hurricanes and Rangers have been two of the top teams in the division in recent years. In fact, one of the two teams have won the division three out of the last four seasons. They have also faced off in three of the last six postseasons, with New York winning the last two matchups.
New York Rangers Likely to Avoid Giving Aging Artemi Panarin Massive Contract Extension
GettyArtemi Panarin currently leads the New York Rangers in points in the 2025-26 season.
One particularly interesting aspect of Dixon’s prediction is the hypothetical terms of the Panarin contract. The reporter suggests that the star will sign a six-year, $66 million contract with Carolina. This particular figure represents an $11 million AAV for the player. Panarin’s current contract sees him earn an $11.6 million AAV.
Although the Rangers are struggling, Panarin remains nearly a point per game player. He even currently leads the team in goals and assists. Despite this, the forward’s point averages have dropped in each of his last three seasons. Assuming his points continue at the same pace throughout the 2025-26 campaign, it would represent his lowest per-game tally since his sophomore season with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016-17.
On top of this, Panarin recently turned 34 and would be near 35 by the start of the 2026-27 campaign. It seems somewhat unlikely that any team, Carolina or otherwise, would hand the forward a lengthy six-year contract. If Panarin is seeking a similar AAV in the future, he may have to take a shorter deal.
Panarin is not the Only Rangers Veteran Who Could Depart This Season
Panarin is also not the only Rangers veteran who could potentially be moved at some point this season. It was recently revealed that Vincent Trocheck could also soon become a trade candidate. Moving on from both stars would be a massive shift in leadership for the team. Both Panarin and Trocheck currently serve as alternate captains under J.T. Miller.
Nevertheless, the Rangers would likely benefit from a reshuffle moving forward. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, New York has just 58 wins in 122 total games. They have a combined goal difference of -2 during this stretch as well.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rangers Superstar Predicted to Join Division Rivals appeared first on Heavy Sports.