As trade rumors swirl around the struggling New York Rangers, forward Artemi Panarin skates past a fan sign explicitly demanding “two first-round picks” in exchange for the star winger during a recent game.
The Breadman’s time in the Big Apple has officially entered the danger zone. Despite a recent five-goal outburst against Philadelphia, the New York Rangers are facing a harsh reality: they are struggling to score, sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference with just 97 goals in 38 games. But the bigger story isn’t the slump; it’s the solution.
According to insider Frank Seravalli, GM Chris Drury is prepared to make a franchise-altering move. If the Rangers are not legitimate contenders by mid-February—and let’s be honest, “wild card hopefuls” doesn’t count as contending in New York—Drury is expected to pull the trigger and trade Artemi Panarin.
The Hard Truth About Panarin’s Future and the Rangers’ “Retool”
As an analyst looking at this roster, the writing has been on the wall since the summer. When Panarin turned down a discounted extension offer and talks subsequently went silent, the dynamic shifted. We are looking at a player who will be 35 years old weeks into his next contract. He will be demanding maximum term and significant money.
Drury is taking a “wide-angle view,” and frankly, it is the only responsible way to manage this asset. The question isn’t “Can we squeeze into the playoffs?” The question is, “What is the next iteration of this team?”
From my perspective, trading Panarin is the painful but necessary medicine the Rangers need. When you are smack in the middle of a mediocre pack—eight teams separated by four points fighting for scraps—you are in NHL purgatory. Keeping a 34-year-old pending UFA in hopes of a first-round exit is bad asset management.
Drury knows that handing a massive, retirement-contract to a winger on the wrong side of 30, while the rest of the team struggles to find the back of the net, is a recipe for a decade of mediocrity. If the Rangers want to build a championship window, they need to retool the core. Selling Panarin at the deadline brings back a haul of assets that accelerates that “next generation” Seravalli mentioned. It hurts to lose elite talent, but it hurts more to watch a team slowly age out of relevance.
Get the Latest New York Rangers News and Win Cash
Make sure you stay ahead of the curve as the deadline approaches. For the latest breaking New York Rangers news, rumors, and game analysis, keep it locked here. Want to put your hockey knowledge to the test? Join our Fantasy Hockey Pool today for a chance to win real cash prizes! Also, check our “Game Day” section to find out how to watch the NY Rangers game on TV today.
Don’t forget to bookmark nhltraderumor.com and sign up for our newsletter below so you never miss a trade alert.