Artemi Panarin’s Trade Market Tightens - But Don’t Count Out a Late Twist
When the New York Rangers made it known that Artemi Panarin was available, the phones lit up. A player of his caliber - even in the back half of his prime - doesn’t hit the trade market often.
But the buzz cooled quickly once it became clear that Panarin wasn’t just looking for a new home for a playoff run. He wanted commitment.
Specifically, a multi-year extension as part of any deal. And that’s where things got complicated.
Several contenders backed away once the financials entered the picture. Among them? The Dallas Stars.
On paper, Dallas would’ve been an intriguing fit. They’ve got the structure, the goaltending, and the top-end talent to make a real push this spring.
Adding a playmaker like Panarin could’ve given them another layer of offensive firepower. But the long-term math just doesn’t work.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Stars’ top priority remains locking up Jason Robertson - and rightfully so. Friedman noted, “Dallas, from what I understand, [Panarin is] willing to go there, however, as long as it is their goal to sign Jason Robertson, and right now I believe it is, they can’t do this.”
And that checks out. Robertson is one of the most dynamic young scorers in the league.
He’s already notched multiple 40-goal seasons and is on pace to hit that mark again. At just 24, he’s a foundational piece for Dallas.
Panarin, meanwhile, is still producing - he’s tracking for 86 points over 78 games - but he’s also eight years older. Committing to a four- or five-year deal at this stage of his career is a tough ask for a team with long-term cap planning in mind.
Could the Market Circle Back?
Panarin’s insistence on an extension has clearly narrowed the field. But the story might not be over yet.
He’s made it clear he wants to chase a Stanley Cup, and if the right opportunity doesn’t materialize with an extension attached, there’s still a path forward. A short-term rental could be back on the table if he and his camp decide to delay contract talks until the offseason.
That would open the door for a lot more teams - contenders who may not have the cap space for a long-term deal but would gladly add a top-line winger for a playoff push. And if Panarin helps a team go deep, maybe even lifts the Cup, his value in free agency only grows.
The Central Division, in particular, would get interesting. The Stars, Avalanche, and Wild all have reason to consider a Panarin rental - not just to boost their own top-six, but to keep him out of a rival’s lineup. That kind of chess match could heat up fast as the deadline approaches.
So while the list of suitors may have shrunk for now, don’t rule out a late twist. Panarin still has plenty of game left, and if the circumstances shift, so too could the market. In a league where one move can tip the balance of power, his name will keep surfacing until the final buzzer on deadline day.