The Olympic break has officially started, but before it kicked in, the NHL saw one last significant trade. On Wednesday, the New York Rangers sent star forward Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, aiming to bolster the Kings’ playoff chances as the season winds down. Following the trade, Panarin secured a two-year extension worth $22 million, which means he’ll be with the Kings through the end of the 2026-27 season.
In return, the Rangers obtained prospect Liam Greentree, along with a conditional third-round pick for the 2026 NHL Draft. This pick could elevate to a second-rounder, depending on whether the Kings win a playoff round. Additionally, there’s a conditional fourth-round pick that hinges on the Kings advancing in two playoff series this season.
Los Angeles Kings Analysis
The Kings have been in desperate need of a star capable of delivering consistent scoring if they want to secure a playoff spot. Honestly, this season hasn’t exactly gone as planned; they were expected to perform better than they have shown on the ice.
Panarin is definitely the kind of player who can replace 40-year-old Corey Perry on the top line. Perry had some moments early on, but injuries made it hard for him to be a reliable contributor. With Panarin, alongside players like Alex Laferrière and Adrian Kempe, the Kings could form a strong top line that has the potential to clinch games and make a playoff run.
However, the big question is what the Kings’ expectations really are. They still lack depth at center, and letting go of Panarin, who was their top prospect for several years, seems puzzling. He’ll also be 37 by the end of this contract.
If the goal is merely an early playoff exit, this trade could work out. But I’m skeptical that Panarin alone will be the solution for making a serious Stanley Cup challenge, especially against teams like the Avalanche, Wild, and Stars in the West.
On the bright side, the Kings managed to complete this deal without giving up a first-round pick or a top prospect, which is a small win.
New York Rangers Analysis
I don’t quite get why the Rangers felt they needed to expedite a deal for Panarin before the Olympics. Given that he’s a Russian national, there’s little risk of injury since he won’t be participating in the Milan-Cortina match. After the Olympics, teams often hesitate to trade major players, worried about injuries.
I do think highly of Liam Greentree, who seems to have the potential to develop into a solid top-six forward for the Rangers, even if he’s untested. It would have been reasonable for the Rangers to seek players with more experience. Ideally, they might have wanted a first-round pick to bolster their position.
This move seems more like a strategy to speed up the Rangers’ rebuilding process, though it might not have been the soundest trade. Recently, negotiations with Panarin shifted from acquiring high-potential players like Jackson Blake and first-round picks to signing him for a lesser deal.
The timing feels off, and the return seems mediocre. Until there’s a shake-up in the front office, starting with Chris Drury, the Kings are likely to continue facing challenges.
