Three unexpected teams have emerged as potential offseason landing spots for Artemi Panarin
Photo credit: David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire
The New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury may go through a quick retool, as they will break up an unsuccessful core of players who haven't made it further than the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, Artemi Panarin's name is all the buzz, as trade rumors are increasing regarding the russian superstar. Could he head out to West, say Anaheim, or Los Angeles?
The New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury want the team to look different. Since the middle of the season, Drury has undergone a soft retool, which we've seen him send multiple players away, including former 1st-round draft picks, like Kaapo Kakko.
After a down year across the board for Rangers players, trades are becoming a reality. That could be something GM Chris Drury will explore with russian superstar Artemi Panarin.
Breadman has been the Rangers' best winger since he arrived. But after a productive decline, the team could find someone to take his massive cap hit and yield some valuable assets in the long term.
Two factors come into play:, Panarin would have to waive his no-trade clause, and the team would have to have the cap space to make it work.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a rebuilding team that just hired Artemi Panarin's former Head Coach in Chicago, Joel Quenneville.
With major moves happening the past two seasons, they could be inching up their rebuild time in order to move into playoff contention, an add like Panarin would suggest that. The Ducks have both assets to move and enough cap space to acquire Panarin, at $38 million.
They also have their 2025, 2026, and 2027 1st-round picks available to trade as well.
Los Angeles Kings
If the Kings were looking to make a huge splash this offseason and acquire Ken Holland, we could see Panarin reunited with former Blue Jacket, Vladislav Gavrikov, in Los Angeles. The Kings were an early out again thanks to the Edmonton Oilers, and could use a reinforcement like Artemi Panarin to break through.
The Kings have a massive amount of cap space, at $23.27 million, and have a great prospect pool to tap into to make a deal happen.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are another team that could make an offer to the Rangers for Panarin. However, the risk of acquiring him for a wealth of assets is the inability to re-sign him. At that point, it'd make him a very expensive rental and set the rebuild back hastily
They could sell him on the ability to play with winger Jonathan Huberdeau, who has since returned to form in Calgary this season.
The Flames could also find a spot for him in the lineup with a total of $27.79 million in space available at the moment.
What is GM Craig Conroy's elevator pitch to Panarin if he truly wants him to head to Alberta? I doubt it's the cold weather.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 1513 ANSWERS Three unexpected teams have emerged as potential offseason landing spots for Artemi Panarin Which NHL team should GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers trade forward Artemi Panarin to? | ||
| Calgary Flames | 352 | 23.3 % |
| Los Angeles Kings | 699 | 46.2 % |
| Anaheim Ducks | 462 | 30.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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