Artemi Panarin’s Future with the Rangers: A Look Ahead
New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin, currently leading the team with 57 points, finds himself at a crossroads as he enters the final season of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract. Recent decisions by the Rangers’ management suggest a potential shift in direction, leaving Panarin’s future with the team uncertain.
Roster Management and Olympic Break Considerations
Panarin was a healthy scratch for the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Wednesday, a move attributed to “roster management.” Coach Mike Sullivan indicated this decision wasn’t easy, acknowledging Panarin’s importance to the team. He stated, “Panarin is a terrific player and a great teammate…he’s not an easy guy to replace.” The Rangers are preparing for the upcoming roster freeze for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, beginning February 4th. They face the Islanders again on Thursday, followed by games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes before the break.
Trade Rumors and the Rangers’ Retooling Plan
Rangers General Manager Chris Drury informed Panarin earlier this month that a contract extension is unlikely. The team intends to facilitate a trade to a new team before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6th. Keeping Panarin out of the lineup now could be a strategic move to either finalize a trade or protect him from injury. Panarin himself has expressed acceptance of the situation, stating, “The team decided to go in a different direction. I’m OK with that.”
This decision follows Drury’s public announcement on January 16th outlining a plan to “retool” the roster, emphasizing it won’t be a complete rebuild but a strategic shift around core players and prospects. Drury explained, “With our position in the standings and injuries to key players this season, we must be honest and realistic about our situation…A shift will give us the ability to be smart and opportunistic as we retool the team.”
Panarin’s Impact and NHL Standing
Since joining the Rangers in 2019-20, Panarin has consistently been the team’s leading scorer. In 482 games, he’s amassed 607 points (205 goals, 402 assists), ranking him 14th in franchise goals, 8th in assists, 9th in total points, and first in points per game (1.26). He currently sits sixth in the NHL in points since 2019-20, trailing only Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, David Pastrnak, and Nikita Kucherov. NHL.com provides further coverage of the league’s top performers.
Recent Roster Moves
The Rangers recently traded defenseman Carson Soucy to the Islanders, further signaling their commitment to reshaping the roster. Soucy is also in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The Rangers (22-26-6) currently hold the last place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points, highlighting the urgency for change. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Panarin’s future and the direction of the New York Rangers.
