Artemi Panarin faced with a massive decision that will determine his future in New York
Photo credit: AP Photo/Matt Slocum
The New York Rangers' goal to make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs remains unchanged as we march into the 2025-26 season shortly. There's something to be said for GM Brad Treliving of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was able to keep John Tavares in a Maple Leafs uniform by taking a discount on his latest contract. Will Artemi Panarin do so in New York?
The New York Rangers still have plenty of roster needs to be filled, as we're coming to the halfway point of July. The team needs a top-six forward and could use additional help on the blueline.
But cap space is a luxury, and paying forwards like Artemi Panarin requires a significant percentage of cap space to keep him here.
At this point in time, the Rangers only have $777K in cap space, while Artemi Panarin earns $11.6 million. Panarin consumes 14.29% of the available Rangers cap space per PuckPedia.
Which brings us to the question: should the Rangers need more flexibility next season in order to build a winning roster, would he be willing to take a discount to stay in New York?
John Tavares, a member of the "core four" in Toronto, has decided to drop pretenses and take a hometown discount to help the Maple Leafs continue to build a cup-winning roster in the future.
Let's face it, Panarin's better days could be behind him, as he is 33 years old, and his production has declined significantly in recent years.
He went from being a 120-point forward to 89 (37-52) in 2024-25.
Panarin could remain a Ranger, and give the team a great shot at acquiring more talent, that is, if in 2026-27 he decides as a UFA to ask for less on his next deal.
His last contract, signed with the Rangers in 2019, paid him $11.6 million over the last several years, and the team has no cup to show for it.
Perhaps, a little self-awareness is in order?
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 16 | 249 ANSWERS Artemi Panarin faced with a massive decision that will determine his future in New York Should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers try to sign forward Artemi Panarin at a lesser AAV in 2027? | ||
| Yes | 186 | 74.7 % |
| No | 63 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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