Rangers Trade Artemi Panarin to Kings
The long-running situation with Artemi Panarin concluded with a trade to the Kings on Wednesday. The Rangers played their last game before the NHL break for the Winter Olympics, knowing that general manager Chris Drury still had plenty of work ahead to reshape the roster for 2026-27 and beyond as the season eventually resumes.
This summer, Panarin signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension with Los Angeles to avoid becoming an unrestricted free agent. Along with him, junior forward prospect Liam Greentree and at least one conditional third-round draft pick—dependent on how Los Angeles performs in the playoffs—were part of the deal.
As the Rangers find themselves at the bottom of the standings, they have managed to play the last three games without Panarin, who was out due to injuries sustained in losses against the Islanders and Penguins, leading up to Thursday’s final pre-Olympic matchup against the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden.
When asked about Panarin’s departure, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan remarked, “I think it’s finally settled.” He added that sometimes the stress from uncertainty feels heavier than the final decision itself, allowing the team to now move forward.
After the trade, Sullivan expressed good wishes to the 34-year-old Panarin. He acknowledged that the team is already working through this challenging situation, especially given their record of 3-12-2, which leaves them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
“It’s not easy because obviously we’re all in this to win,” Sullivan said. He noted that without their top players, chances of success diminish significantly. However, he recognized the reality of the situation, emphasizing that his focus has to be on coaching the players available each night.
Greentree, who is 20 years old, is set to finish the season with OHL Windsor. The Rangers now need to fill the considerable gap left by their leading scorer internally.
In recent games, Will Quill has stepped into Panarin’s role, primarily playing alongside center Vincent Trocheck.
Sullivan remarked, “We’re not looking to bring in a player to replace what Artemi did for us.” Instead, the focus is on building a team effort that can collectively fill the void and enhance matchups while creating fewer defensive opportunities for opponents.
Greentree, a 6-foot-2 winger selected 26th overall by the Kings in the 2024 NHL Draft, is expected to develop within the organization.
Sullivan shared that he’s had multiple discussions with Drury about the team’s direction, expressing excitement about Greentree’s potential to become a significant player in the NHL.
The ongoing conversations seem to focus on restructuring the team to be more competitive and addressing the challenges ahead. Sullivan feels confident about their strategy and the process, assuring that they are all aligned as they move forward.
