Could Artemi Panarin to Edmonton Actually Happen? It’s Complicated - But Not Impossible
As the NHL trade market heats up, Artemi Panarin’s name looms large. The New York Rangers’ superstar winger is one of the biggest potential game-changers available, and until he’s officially moved - or not - just about every playoff contender will be running the numbers, checking the fit, and asking the same question: What if?
The Edmonton Oilers are one of those teams. On the surface, they might seem like longshots in the Panarin sweepstakes. But dig a little deeper, and there’s a case to be made - not just for why the Oilers would want him, but why Panarin might actually consider it.
Let’s start with the obvious: Panarin is still elite. At 34 years old, he’s in the final season of a seven-year, $81.5 million deal he signed back in 2019, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
With 56 points in 51 games (19 goals, 37 assists), he’s once again driving offense at a top-tier level. For a team like Edmonton, with Stanley Cup ambitions and a core headlined by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, adding a player like Panarin could be the kind of move that shifts the balance of power.
So, what’s standing in the way?
Cap Gymnastics and Creative Thinking
First, the salary cap. Edmonton would need to make significant moves just to fit Panarin in.
That likely starts with moving out Adam Henrique’s $3 million and Andrew Mangiapane’s $3.6 million - and that’s before even getting into what the Rangers would need to retain to make the math work. It’s not impossible, but it’s tight.
Every dollar matters, and the Oilers would need multiple pieces to fall into place to make the numbers line up.
Then there’s the acquisition cost. Panarin isn’t just a rental - he’s a difference-maker.
That means any deal is going to come with a hefty price tag. We’re talking a first-round pick, a top prospect, and possibly more, depending on how many teams are seriously in the mix.
Edmonton has the assets, but they’d need to be willing to part with them - and outbid other suitors in the process.
The No-Movement Clause Wild Card
And here’s the biggest X-factor: Panarin holds all the cards. With a full no-movement clause, he gets to decide where he goes - if anywhere. That’s where things get murky.
There’s no question that Edmonton offers a compelling hockey case. A chance to play with McDavid and Draisaitl, to chase a Cup with a team that’s been knocking on the door - that’s not nothing.
There’s also the connection to GM Stan Bowman, who has a history with Panarin from their days in Chicago. That relationship could help open the door.
But there are lifestyle considerations, too. Panarin has long been rumored to prefer warmer climates - and Alberta winters don’t exactly fit that bill. That doesn’t mean he’d say no, but it adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complicated situation.
A Long Shot, But Not a Pipe Dream
So, where does that leave us?
This isn’t a slam-dunk. The cap is tight, the trade cost is high, and Panarin’s preferences are a wild card.
But it’s not out of the question, either. The Oilers have the motivation, the assets, and a window that’s wide open.
If they can sell Panarin on the vision - and if the Rangers are willing to play ball on salary retention - there’s a path, however narrow, to making this work.
Every major trade comes with hurdles. The question is whether Edmonton is willing to leap - and whether Panarin is willing to meet them halfway.