Artemi Panarin news and rumors not only update daily, but by the hour and minute these days. Imagine what it’ll be like if the New York Rangers don’t trade him before the Feb. 4 roster freeze, and there’s three weeks between NHL games during the Olympic break — so much down time for nothing but Panarin speculation.
That said, here are a couple interesting recent nuggets. It’s been widely reported that Panarin absolutely wants a contract extension in place before accepting a trade. If he holds to that, Pierre LeBrun reported that the Anaheim Ducks are out on him.
“They don’t want to sign that kind of money to a veteran player when they have young core pieces to sign,” LeBrun explained on TSN’s Insider Trading.
But if one team is out — at least for now — another appears to be in. Several reports, including one by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, indicate that the Utah Mammoth checked in with the Rangers about Panarin.
That’s an intriguing team because they have plenty of salary cap space, and a nice mix of young talent and solid veterans, including some Stanley Cup winners. Plus the Mammoth currently are the first wild card in the Western Conference.
Who knows if Utah’s on Panarin’s list of possible destinations. But it’s certainly interesting to see the Mammoth big-game hunting.
Shifting quickly to somewhat of a shameless plug here, but I caught up with Derek Stepan on Thursday to record an interview for the latest RINK RAP podcast. “Interview” is probably the wrong word to use because it really was a fun flowing conversation with someone I’ve known since his first training camp with the Rangers in 2010.
Stepan was equal parts insightful, honest, and funny. The storytelling really takes you inside some of the biggest moments of recent Rangers history, including his epic Game 7 overtime goal against the Washington Capitals in the 2015 playoffs, Brandon Prust breaking his jaw in the 2014 postseason, the Ryan Callahan trade, and how Marty St. Louis’ personal tragedy put things in perspective for a Blueshirts team that turned things around and made a run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
Torts, AV, Cally, Boyler, Henrik, both Martys (St. Louis and Biron), Zucc, Staal — yeah, he covers it all.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Derek Stepan. I think you will too.
Here’s a link to watch on YouTube. And below is the audio podcast.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Here are the key Rangers takeaways after their 2-1 loss to the Islanders which sealed a season series sweep for the team from Long Island.
Pat Pickens breaks down why these five players are ones the Rangers should target in trade talks.
Rangers players share “weird feeling” of playing without Artemi Panarin, whose days with the franchise are numbered ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
Count the San Jose Sharks as a team that’s in on Panarin.
NHL news and rumors
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The Athletic ($$): Here’s an interesting list of under-the-radar trade candidates, including one current Rangers player and two ex-Blueshirts.
New Jersey Hockey Now: More bad new for the Devils, even despite their 3-2 overtime win over the Nashville Predators. Star center Jack Hughes left the game and didn’t return with a lower-body injury
TSN: Predators GM Barry Trotz said “nothing os off the table,” as far as it pertains to trades. And that includes possibly moving veteran center Ryan O’Reilly.
Detroit Hockey Now: Kevin Allen explains why Patrick Kane’s not done yet, even after passing Mike Modan to become the highest-scoring United States-born player in NHL history, with his 1,375th career point Thursday night.
Sportsnet: Luke Fox analyzes the harsh reality enveloping that the Toronto Maple Leafs, that they may be sellers ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
Boston Hockey Now: Jack Studley dives into a near-perfect month, and complete turnaround, for the Bruins, who finished January 11-2-1 overall, and 9-0-0 at TD Garden.
Florida Hockey Now: A late loss to the St. Louis Blues and losing Brad Marchand to another injury? Not a good night for the Panthers.
Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of … More about Jim Cerny
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