The Anaheim Ducks may be an unexpected player in the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who suggested on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that Anaheim could be a potential fit if the star forward hits the market.
Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent, has yet to reach an agreement on a new contract with the New York Rangers, and Friedman noted that while the veteran winger prefers to stay in New York, there’s growing curiosity around what might happen if talks stall.
“I was kind of wondering if a guy like Panarin might make some sense there,” Friedman said, referencing Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, who has earned a reputation for taking “big swings” in his short tenure.