Kraken Made Massive Push for Panarin Before Kings Sealed the Deal
As Artemi Panarin settles into his new home in Los Angeles, the hockey world is still buzzing about the behind-the-scenes drama that nearly took him somewhere else entirely. One team that came swinging with a jaw-dropping offer? The Seattle Kraken - and they weren’t messing around.
Let’s rewind a bit. Talks between Panarin’s camp and the Kings hit a snag on Tuesday.
The two sides had been circling a potential five-year extension in the $45 million range - roughly $9 million per season - but things started to unravel. The Kings, wary of committing long term to a 34-year-old winger, began to back off.
That’s when Panarin’s agent, Paul Theofanous, opened the door to other suitors.
Enter Seattle.
According to multiple league sources, the Kraken jumped in with a massive four-year offer that would’ve made Panarin one of the highest-paid players in NHL history. The reported average annual value (AAV) topped Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million deal - a number that already raised eyebrows across the league when it kicked in this season. That would’ve put Panarin second only to Kirill Kaprizov’s impending $17 million extension in terms of AAV.
It was a bold move by Seattle, and it made sense. The Kraken are sitting third in the Pacific Division and clearly see themselves as contenders.
Adding a player like Panarin - a dynamic, game-breaking winger - could’ve been the kind of splash that shifts the balance of power in the West. And they were willing to pay top dollar to make it happen.
But in the end, it wasn’t about the money.
Panarin ultimately chose Los Angeles, signing a two-year extension worth $11 million per season. That’s a significant drop from what Seattle reportedly put on the table - we’re talking about potentially leaving $30 million on the table.
But sometimes, fit and preference outweigh the paycheck. Panarin wanted L.A., and he made that clear with his decision.
The Rangers, for their part, received a package that includes two conditional draft picks and 2024 first-rounder Liam Greentree. It’s a solid return, especially considering Panarin was entering the final year of a seven-year deal with an $11.6 million AAV.
Behind the scenes, things got wild. Rumors flew on Tuesday that Panarin was heading to Carolina, and there was talk of a mystery team offering $60 million over four years - a $15 million AAV.
That whirlwind of speculation created a few chaotic hours around the league. While those numbers were never confirmed, the buzz was real and the tension was high.
Seattle, for their part, emerged as the most likely big-money bidder. And while they didn’t land Panarin, their aggressive pursuit sent a clear message: they’re not content with just being competitive - they want to win now, and they’re not afraid to swing big.
For L.A., landing Panarin is a major win. They get a top-tier offensive talent without locking themselves into a long-term deal.
For Panarin, it’s about chasing a Cup in a city he clearly wanted to be in. And for Seattle?
It’s a reminder that they’re ready to be players in the league’s biggest conversations - and they’ve got the resources to back it up.
This wasn’t just a trade. It was a high-stakes chess match between teams with very different approaches. And while the Kings came out on top, the Kraken proved they’re not just in the game - they’re ready to make waves.