The New York Rangers are heading into full reset mode, and the Florida Panthers might be ready to cash in.
Just a few seasons ago, the Rangers were seen as a legitimate Stanley Cup threat. Fast forward to now, and they’re staring down a season that’s slipped away.
After missing the playoffs last year, there was hope that this campaign would mark a turnaround. Instead, the team has struggled to find any kind of rhythm-especially at home in Madison Square Garden-and now finds itself buried in the Eastern Conference standings.
That’s led the front office to shift gears. The focus now?
Offloading veteran talent that could help playoff-bound teams make a run. And when it comes to trade chips, no name on the Rangers’ roster carries more weight than Artemi Panarin.
Panarin, still one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons, has been pulled from the lineup-not because of injury or performance, but because the Rangers don’t want to risk him getting hurt before a potential trade. That’s a clear signal: he’s their top trade asset, and they’re protecting the investment.
Enter the Florida Panthers. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs are reportedly interested in adding Panarin to their already loaded roster.
And from Panarin’s perspective, the Panthers would be an ideal landing spot. They’re a proven winner, and he’d be stepping into a system that knows how to win in the spring.
But there’s a wrinkle. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Panthers GM Bill Zito may be hesitant to commit to Panarin long-term.
At 34 years old, Panarin isn’t a young star anymore, and locking him into a lengthy contract could be a gamble. It’s worth noting that the Panthers did go that route last year, extending Brad Marchand after their Cup win.
But Panarin might not be seen in the same light when it comes to future planning.
So here’s where things stand: the Rangers are sellers, Panarin is available, and the Panthers are interested-but the deal may hinge on how far Florida is willing to go in terms of contract length and financial commitment. If Zito decides the short-term upside outweighs the long-term risk, we could see one of the most impactful trade deadline moves of the season.
For now, Panarin waits. The Rangers wait. And the Panthers-along with the rest of the league-are watching closely.