Panarin Off the Market, But the Wild Were Never in the Race-and That’s by Design
When Artemi Panarin was traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings, it sent ripples through the NHL trade market. One of the biggest names available was officially off the board. But for the Minnesota Wild, this wasn’t a door closing-it was a reminder that they were never knocking in the first place.
Despite some early chatter linking the Wild to Panarin, Minnesota was never seriously in the mix. The buzz may have picked up outside the organization, but internally, the reality was clear: a deal for Panarin didn’t align with the Wild’s current blueprint.
Let’s break down why.
Panarin’s cap hit, the assets it would’ve taken to land him, and the looming question of a contract extension made the fit a non-starter. The Wild are working with limited financial flexibility and a long-term vision that values sustainability over splashy headlines. Bringing in a high-priced star-no matter how dynamic-just didn’t make sense for a team focused on roster balance, development, and cost control.
Now that Panarin’s landed in L.A., the Wild can move forward without the noise. The trade deadline is approaching, but don’t expect Minnesota to suddenly pivot toward big-name targets. Their approach remains steady: identify players who fit the system, support the existing core, and don’t mortgage the future.
That doesn’t mean they’re inactive. The Wild are still in the market for top-six scoring help, with an emphasis on adding a center.
It’s a need they’ve acknowledged before-and one they’ve already started addressing. The recent acquisition of Quinn Hughes is a testament to that flexibility.
So while the plan is clear, nothing’s completely off the table.
Bottom line: Minnesota isn’t chasing headlines. They’re building something sustainable. And as tempting as a player like Panarin might be, the Wild are sticking to their lane-and that might just be the smartest move they can make.