Artemi Panarin’s Future in Limbo as Olympic Trade Freeze Looms
The New York Rangers made their intentions clear last week: they’re actively exploring a trade involving Artemi Panarin. The star winger has been held out of the lineup for what the team is calling “roster management purposes,” but make no mistake-this is about more than just rest or precaution. The Rangers are working the phones, trying to move one of the league’s most dynamic offensive talents before the Olympic trade freeze hits.
But this situation is anything but simple.
Panarin holds a no-movement clause, giving him full control over where he goes next-or if he goes anywhere at all. And he’s not just looking for a new jersey.
Any deal will almost certainly need to come with a contract extension, and a hefty one at that. That’s a major wrinkle for any team hoping to add him to their top six.
It’s not just about acquiring a game-breaker-it’s about committing to him long-term, both financially and structurally.
The clock is ticking. The NHL’s Olympic trade freeze kicks in at 3 p.m.
ET on Wednesday and runs through February 22 at 11:59 p.m. That gives teams just a narrow window to finalize any major moves before the league hits pause for the Milan Cortina Games.
And while there’s an expectation that the post-Olympic window will bring a flurry of activity-especially with the March 6 trade deadline looming-teams looking to land a game-changer like Panarin may feel the pressure to act now rather than risk losing out later.
The Rangers, for their part, are in a delicate spot. They want to maximize the return for Panarin, but they’re also navigating a tight timeline and a player who has the final say. That combination makes this one of the more complex trade scenarios in the league right now.
As for what comes next? That depends on how the next 48 hours unfold. If a team can meet Panarin’s contract demands and offer the Rangers a return that fits their timeline and goals, we could see one of the league’s premier talents on the move before the Olympic break.
If not, all eyes shift to the other side of the freeze, where the trade market is expected to heat up in a big way.
Stay tuned. The next few days could reshape more than just the Rangers’ roster.