Kings Land Artemi Panarin in Blockbuster Trade with Rangers
The Los Angeles Kings just made their biggest move in years-and it’s a statement. Artemi Panarin is heading to Hollywood.
In a major pre-deadline shakeup, the Kings acquired the veteran winger from the New York Rangers on Wednesday afternoon. The deal, finalized just ahead of the NHL’s trade freeze, sends 2024 first-round pick Liam Greentree, a conditional 2026 third-rounder, and a conditional 2028 fourth-rounder to New York. The Rangers are also retaining 50 percent of Panarin’s $11.6 million cap hit, which runs through the end of this season.
But here’s the kicker: Panarin isn’t just a rental. He’s reportedly inked a two-year extension with the Kings worth $11 million annually.
That’s a clear signal from Los Angeles-they’re not just trying to sneak into the playoffs. They want to make noise once they get there.
Panarin, 34, brings instant firepower to a Kings team that’s been starving for offense. With just 139 goals this season-second-fewest in the league-Los Angeles needed a spark.
Panarin might be exactly that. In 52 games with the Rangers this year, he racked up 19 goals and 57 points before being held out of the lineup since January 26th as trade talks progressed.
This isn’t just a big-name acquisition-it’s a calculated move to break a frustrating postseason pattern. The Kings haven’t advanced past the first round since their 2014 Stanley Cup win. They’ve made six playoff appearances since, including each of the last four seasons, but each time they’ve been bounced early-most recently by the Edmonton Oilers.
Enter Panarin. A proven offensive weapon with elite playmaking vision and a knack for showing up in big moments.
Over 11 NHL seasons, he’s piled up 321 goals and 927 points in 804 games across stints with the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, and Rangers. He’s not just productive-he’s consistent, and he instantly becomes the most dangerous forward on the Kings’ roster.
And this deal wasn’t just about fit-it was about preference. Panarin reportedly had Los Angeles at the top of his list, and with a full no-movement clause in his contract, he had the power to steer the process. According to reports, the Kings were the only team he was willing to waive for, giving New York limited options and making this trade feel more like a mutual agreement than a bidding war.
That’s notable considering the buzz around Panarin leading up to the deadline. Several contenders-including Florida, Carolina, Colorado, Dallas, and even Edmonton-were believed to be in the mix. But in the end, it was the Kings who got their man.
With the March 6th trade deadline still weeks away, this move could set the tone for what’s to come. Panarin was the biggest name on the board-and now he’s off it.
For the Kings, this is more than just a splashy acquisition. It’s a bet that Panarin’s offensive skillset can elevate them beyond their recent playoff struggles. And if he clicks in L.A. the way he has everywhere else, the rest of the Western Conference just got a lot more interesting.