Recent Contract Extensions Puts All Eyes On The New York Rangers and Artemi Panarin: Will They Get It Done?
Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-USA Today
With news of Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid being re-signed by the team for another two seasons, GM Chris Drury has all eyes on him. The contract signed by McDavid was a hometown discount, and with forward Artemi Panarin rejecting his own, Rangers fans are in for a ride.
The 2026 free agent class won't be as deep as we'd thought since Kyle Connor and Connor McDavid were two forwards extended this week. Kirill Kaprizov was another forward who was signed weeks earlier, putting a damper on fans' hopes as time progressed.
GM Chris Drury's original plans were to wait until free agency in 2026 to add an elite forward, once the situation with Artemi Panarin was figured out.
Now, with McDavid off the table, Drury has put himself in an unenviable position in his dealings with Artemi Panarin. The Rangers' best forward.
Given all of the contracts the Rangers have dumped over the past year, on top of the fact that Artemi Panarin's seven-year, 81.5 million deal is set to expire after the 2025-26 season, it seemed as if the Rangers were positioning themselves to be major players in the free-agent market this upcoming summer.
The 2026 free-agent market was supposed to feature multiple superstar caliber players, including Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, and Kyle Connor.
The 2026 free-agent market was supposed to feature multiple superstar caliber players, including Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, and Kyle Connor.
Chris Drury has simply been lazy and has let the leverage veer in Artemi Panarin's favor, with the slew of recent extensions by each forward and their team(s).
Panarin rejected a team-friendly deal earlier in the postseason, according to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman.
«I understand, at some point in the off-season, the Rangers had that kind of conceptual conversation with Panarin: 'Is there a way you could do for the Rangers what Kopitar did for the Kings?'» Friedman said. «Obviously, at this point and time, it hasn't happened. I don't know where that's going to go, I don't know if that's going to be a possibility, but I do know the two sides had the conversation and, obviously, at this point, Panarin is unsigned.»
The Rangers' general manager has made negotiations harder with the 33-year-old forward, who is still an All-Star caliber player.
For the team, their hands are now tied as Kaprizov, Connor, and other players sign record-breaking deals (aside from McDavid).
As their main offensive weapon, Drury may have to capitulate in order to keep the Rangers competitive.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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