Trade speculation surrounding Artemi Panarin continues to grow, with signs pointing to the veteran player nearing the end of his tenure with the New York Rangers.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Rangers are expected to keep Panarin out of the lineup for trade-related reasons until the Olympic break begins on February 6 if a deal is not completed sooner.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury recently announced that the team is entering a new retooling phase, making Panarin a logical trade chip.
The 34-year-old is a pending free agent and would likely need a big contract in his next deal.
Despite his age, Panarin remains one of the most productive strikers in the league. He leads the Rangers with 38 assists and 57 points this season and recorded 120 points two years ago.
The main hurdle to a deal is money, as Panarin has an $11.6 million cap hit for the remainder of the 2025-26 season and will be an unrestricted free agent after that.
Still, several playoff hopefuls are seen as potential candidates, including the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings and the Washington Capitals.
