Failed blockbuster: Friedman reveals Artemi Panarin rejected a four-year extension worth over $14M A
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Artemi Panarin turning down the Seattle Kraken hit like a gut punch for the New York Rangers, and the $14M AAV rumor makes it feel even louder.
That’s not normal “interest.” That’s a franchise trying to buy a new identity in one signature, and Panarin still said no, which tells you how tight his destination list really was.
It also reframes the whole trade saga. If he wasn’t open to Seattle even at that price, the Rangers were negotiating with one hand tied behind their back.
“Several sources indicated the Kraken offered a four-year extension “with an AAV higher than Leon Draisaitl’s.” The Edmonton cornerstone is at $14 million. That’s…just wow…but I’m not surprised they’d do it. It’s bold and it fits what they’re looking to do.”
The end result was Panarin going to the Los Angeles Kings with 50 percent retained, while the Rangers got Liam Greentree plus conditional picks.
Then the Kings reportedly locked him up right away, two years at $11 million AAV.
Artemi Panarin leaves New York Rangers with hard choices
Seattle’s reported offer also shows what the market thinks an elite winger is worth right now. Draisaitl’s cap hit sits at $14 million AAV, and that’s the line Friedman used as the comparison.
From a cap standpoint, the Kraken trying to go above that is bold, but it’s also risky. Four years at that number can age fast if the legs go.
For New York, it’s the harsh lesson of no-trade leverage. Even when a rival waves silly money, it doesn’t matter if the player won’t sign there.
Now the Rangers live in the retool, and the Kings live in the pressure. Panarin picked his spot, and everyone else has to deal with the finality.
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Failed blockbuster: Friedman reveals Artemi Panarin rejected a four-year extension worth over $14M AAV
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