Photo credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Artemi Panarin trade talk just pulled the Los Angeles Kings into the New York Rangers retool, and it’s not a random fit, it’s an extension fit.
Elliotte Friedman’s idea is simple, if Panarin is presented to L.A. with term, the Kings might actually push their chips in.
Panarin is still an engine at 19G-38A-57P, so the Rangers know the value is there even in a messy season.
Elliotte Friedman: One of the things that’s kind of being discussed inside LA is, are we really throwing all our chips in this year; if suddenly Artemi Panarin is presented to you with an extension; I could see both player and team…eyeing each other – 32 Thoughts (1/23)
Artemi Panarin gives New York Rangers a real lever
If L.A. gets extension permission, the return gets heavier, because certainty always costs more at the deadline.
From the Kings side, the «why» is obvious, they need a true game-breaker on the wing, not just another grinder who chips in once a week.
This is also where the new playoff cap compliance wrinkle matters, because contenders can’t just hide money once the postseason starts.
So if the Kings want Panarin, they either pay in futures, pay in retention cost, or pay in roster players that actually help.
Friedman’s point lands because L.A. feels like a team deciding what it is, and Panarin with term would answer that fast.
Now we see if the Kings truly «eye each other» with Panarin, or if this stays a podcast idea that never survives cap math.
Previously on NY Hockey Insider
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Elliotte Friedman confirms one team has the upper-hand in the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes: Here’s why
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