{"id":502363,"date":"2026-03-14T03:32:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T03:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/502363\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T03:32:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T03:32:19","slug":"artemi-panarin-opens-up-on-post-rangers-life-ahead-of-msg-return-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/502363\/","title":{"rendered":"Artemi Panarin opens up on post-Rangers life ahead of MSG return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Artemi Panarin<\/a> is pretty happy about where he is right now, even though he\u2019d rather not have returned to New York until next season.<\/p>\n

The longtime New York Rangers forward opened up about life with the Los Angeles Kings ahead of his much-publicized return to Madison Square Garden on Monday night.<\/p>\n

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The Rangers traded to the Kings on Feb. 4 \u2014 shortly before the Olympic roster freeze \u2014 for Liam Greentree<\/a>, LA\u2019s first-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, and two draft choices. Panarin had a full no-trade clause and said Los Angeles was the only place he would agree to be traded to. The 34-year-old pending free agent then signed a two-year contract with the Kings carrying an average annual value of $11 million.<\/a><\/p>\n

Panarin had 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 52 games with the Rangers before the trade and finished his time in New York ninth in franchise history with 607 points (205 goals, 402 assists)<\/a> in 482 games during just under seven full seasons for New York. His average of 1.26 points per game is the highest in Rangers history<\/a>, and he is the only Ranger with more than 600 points in fewer than 500 games.<\/p>\n

Artemi Panarin wishes his MSG return was next season\"NHL:<\/p>\n

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Panarin is excited to return to his old stomping grounds, though he admitted he\u2019d be feeling the strain of being back at MSG.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI wish it was going to be next year, but I\u2019ve got to deal with that pretty soon,\u201d Panarin said after the Kings practiced Thursday prior to their game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Friday. \u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019m going to be nervous. \u2026 Obviously excited to see the fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rangers are all but certain to miss the playoffs for the second straight season after reaching the Eastern Conference Final twice (2022, 2024) in a three-season span. Despite making offseason trades that sapped New York of some firepower, Panarin cited injuries to goalie Igor Shesterkin<\/a>, center J.T. Miller<\/a> and others as the biggest reasons for this season\u2019s struggles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think injuries gave us a hard time,\u201d Panarin said. \u201c(All the) time we had one of the top guys injured. We did not have enough depth for the top six. We were working with limited options.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Panarin was, of course, a pending free agent before the Rangers traded him. He appreciated Rangers general manager Chris Drury\u2019s infamous letter that spelled out the team\u2019s plans to rebuild since it gave him the opportunity to seek a trade \u2014 something he said he would not have done otherwise.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was never going to make that move by myself,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s kind of easier for me for people to figure it out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Panarin said the lack of contract talks prepared him for what happened, but he was still sad when Drury told him what the Rangers were going to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t believe that until they tell you,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought I played pretty good too. In the beginning, yeah, I was thinking too much, but after I corrected my season. When you go back to your level you think, \u2018Right now, let\u2019s go.\u2019 Then it\u2019s not going to happen. It\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NHL:<\/p>\n

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Kings are 3-5-1 since acquiring Panarin, and they fired coach Jim Hiller amid their struggles March 1. Panarin struggled initially after the trade, but he has five points in their past four games and the Kings are 2-1-1 in that span.<\/p>\n

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He admitted he felt \u201csad\u201d after the trade, but said things are perking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cFelt pretty sad in the beginning but also explained to myself why it\u2019s better,\u201d Panarin said. \u201cI have a few things I think are going to be better.<\/p>\n

\"NHL:<\/p>\n

Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI was thinking too much. It took me probably two or three games (with the Kings) to relax. \u2026 I was waiting three weeks thinking [before the trade]. I have trouble when I start thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the Kings are still very much in the hunt for the playoffs. LA is 26-23-15 (67 points) and enters the weekend trailing the San Jose Sharks for the final Western Conference playoff spot by one point<\/a> with 18 games to play.<\/p>\n

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The nearness of a playoff berth has led to a better attitude than Panarin felt in New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously a better atmosphere in the locker room,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you already know you\u2019re in last place, it\u2019s not that fun in the locker room, even if we try to help each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

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