The Rangers have continued on their promise from Chris Drury to retool the team, and it comes with the departure of one of their best free agent signings in franchise history.
According to multiple reports, the Blueshirts have dealt Artemi Panarin to the Kings for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree. Panarin, set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, was expected to be dealt before the league’s roster freeze went into effect.
Panarin has not played in more than a week, as the team held him out for precautionary reasons why they worked out a deal. The 34-year-old had a full no move clause in his contract, and according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, the Kings were the only team he was willing to be traded to, limiting New York’s options. According to other reports, he promptly signed a two-year extension with Los Angeles following the trade.
Despite how it ended - with the Rangers missing the playoffs last season and plummeting to the bottom of the Eastern Conference this year - Panarin’s impact was undeniable. He was a Hart Trophy candidate during the 2023-24 season, helping the Blueshirts to the Presidents Trophy and a second conference final appearance in three years. In six-plus seasons with the Rangers, Panarin racked up 205 goals and 402 assists, cementing himself as one of the best wingers in team history.
Greentree, 20, is a former first-round pick and was widely regarded as the Kings’ top prospect.