Kings Land Panarin in Blockbuster Deal, Red Wings Left Searching for Scoring Spark
The Los Angeles Kings just made one of the biggest splashes of the NHL season, acquiring star winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in a deal that could reshape the Western Conference playoff picture. For the Detroit Red Wings, who were reportedly in the mix, it’s a missed opportunity to add a dynamic veteran presence to their emerging core.
Here’s how the trade breaks down: the Kings receive Panarin, while the Rangers get 20-year-old forward prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick. That pick can upgrade to a second-rounder if L.A. wins a playoff round this spring, and if the Kings make it to the Conference Final, New York will also receive a fourth-rounder in 2028.
To make the deal work financially, the Rangers are retaining 50% of Panarin’s contract for the rest of this season. Meanwhile, the Kings have already locked in a two-year extension with Panarin, reportedly at an $11 million AAV.
For Detroit, this one stings. Panarin would’ve been a near-perfect fit on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and the rapidly ascending Lucas Raymond. The Red Wings have been looking for a scoring winger to complement their young talent, and Panarin checks every box: elite production, high-end playmaking, and the kind of veteran savvy that can stabilize a lineup in high-pressure moments.
At 34, Panarin is still playing at an elite level. He’s posted 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games this season-on pace for 86 points over 78 games.
That’s not just good for his age; that’s top-tier production by any standard. This marks the ninth straight season he’s averaged more than a point per game, a testament to his consistency and offensive impact.
Since the 2019-20 season, Panarin has racked up 205 goals and 402 assists-607 points in 482 games. That puts him among the NHL’s top six scorers over that span, right in the company of the game’s biggest names. He’s not just a star; he’s been one of the most productive forwards in the league for half a decade.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are betting on the future with Greentree. The 20-year-old was selected 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and has been a standout in the OHL, captaining the Windsor Spitfires and putting up 23 goals and 22 assists in just 34 games this season.
He’s a power forward with size and skill, and while he’s not NHL-ready just yet, there’s real upside in his game. Expect him to continue developing in juniors, with a shot at cracking the Rangers’ lineup in the next year or two.
For Detroit, missing out on Panarin doesn’t derail their rebuild, but it does delay a potential leap forward. General manager Steve Yzerman has been methodical in constructing this roster, and while the pursuit of Panarin suggests a willingness to accelerate the timeline, the deal ultimately didn’t come together. Whether it was the price, the player’s preference, or timing, the Red Wings will now pivot to other options as the trade deadline approaches.
There’s still cap flexibility and young talent in the system, so Yzerman has room to maneuver. But for now, Detroit remains a team in transition-competitive, promising, but still searching for that one piece to push them over the top.
As for the Kings? They just added a top-tier playmaker to a team already in the playoff mix. If Panarin continues his current pace and meshes with L.A.’s top six, this could be the move that turns a good team into a legitimate contender.