The NHL trade deadline may still be a few weeks away-March 6, to be exact-but the market is already heating up. And at the center of the buzz?
Artemi Panarin. The New York Rangers winger is the biggest name being floated in trade talks, and if the Rangers are indeed sellers this year, Panarin could fetch one of the most significant returns we’ve seen in recent deadline history.
But this isn’t your typical trade scenario. Panarin holds a full no-move clause, which gives him the power to control where he lands.
He’s not just looking for a playoff run-he wants a long-term home. Specifically, he’s eyeing a team willing to sign him to a contract extension, which narrows the field of suitors considerably.
Still, there are a handful of teams that fit the bill, and according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Detroit Red Wings are firmly in the mix.
On a recent episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman pointed to Detroit as a team to watch in the Panarin sweepstakes. Why?
Because Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman isn’t in the business of short-term rentals. He’s known for targeting players with term-guys who can be part of the team’s core for years, not just a spring fling.
That’s exactly what Panarin is looking for, which makes the fit intriguing.
"Detroit, always tough with [Steve] Yzerman. I definitely think there's interest.
Definitely," Friedman said. "But you know, Yzerman, he generally doesn't like rentals.
So can he make a deal there?"
Friedman also linked other teams-Washington, Los Angeles, Carolina, and San Jose-as potential landing spots, but emphasized that any deal would need to come with a contract extension. That’s the price of entry for Panarin. He’s reportedly seeking a $50 million extension, and at 34 years old, he’s looking for one more big payday-likely his last.
That kind of ask is enough to make any GM pause. But for a team like Detroit, which is hovering in the middle of the pack offensively, it could be the kind of swing that shifts their trajectory. The Red Wings currently rank 18th in the league in goals per game (3.07), and while they’ve made strides this season, adding a dynamic offensive weapon like Panarin could elevate them from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
Now, it’s worth noting that Panarin doesn’t directly address Detroit’s most pressing needs. TSN’s Darren Dreger recently reported that Yzerman is focused on acquiring a No. 2 center and a right-shot defenseman-again, players with term.
Panarin, a left winger, doesn’t check either of those boxes. But he does bring elite playmaking and scoring ability, and he’s the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series on his own.
We’ve seen Yzerman make calculated, long-term moves before-like last offseason’s trade for goaltender John Gibson, who’s under contract through 2026-27. That’s the model. If Panarin is willing to sign a deal that aligns with that vision, and if the Rangers are open to a move that makes sense for both sides, the Red Wings could be in position to pull off one of the biggest trades of the year.
It all comes down to whether Yzerman is ready to go all-in on a player who, while not filling a positional need, could be the spark that ignites a deep playoff run. For a team looking to take the next step, Artemi Panarin might just be the kind of gamble worth taking.