Artemi Panarin Would Waive His No-Move Clause for One Reason: A Stanley Cup Run
When news surfaced that Artemi Panarin would consider waiving his no-move clause to join the Edmonton Oilers for a playoff push, it raised eyebrows across the league. Not because Panarin’s name is floating in trade talks - that happens with stars all the time - but because of what it says about where he’s at in his career.
This isn’t about settling down or finding a new home. This is about chasing a ring, plain and simple.
Panarin’s Playoff Mindset: All-In, Not Long-Term
Let’s be clear: Panarin isn’t looking for a fresh start or a long-term relocation. According to reports, his top priority remains an extension - staying where he is, if the situation lines up.
But if it doesn’t? He’s not eyeing a soft landing.
He’s eyeing a Cup.
That mindset tells you a lot about how Panarin sees himself right now. He’s still a top-tier offensive force, still capable of tilting a series with a flick of the wrist or a no-look dish.
But he’s also realistic. He’s not trying to be the guy anymore - not the one dragging a team through the mud and carrying the load night after night.
He wants to join a contender that’s already built, already dangerous, and just needs one more weapon to push them over the top.
Why Edmonton, Colorado, and Dallas?
So why did Panarin reportedly narrow his list to three teams - Edmonton, Colorado, and Dallas?
Because each one offers a clear, immediate shot at meaningful hockey this spring.
Let’s start with Edmonton. If you’re Panarin and you’re thinking about jumping into a lineup for a two-month sprint, it helps when the centers you’d be playing with are named Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
That’s not just a good situation - that’s a dream scenario for a playmaker of Panarin’s caliber. He wouldn’t need to carry the offense.
He’d just need to do what he does best: create.
The Oilers have been living in “win-now” mode for years. Their championship window is wide open, and adding a player like Panarin - even as a rental - would be the kind of bold, deadline swing that signals they’re all-in. He’d slot into their top six seamlessly and give them another dimension offensively, especially on the power play.
Colorado makes just as much sense. They’ve already proven they can win it all with this core, and their system is tailor-made for a high-IQ winger like Panarin.
He wouldn’t need a runway to get going - he could step in and start producing right away. And with the Avalanche’s structured, fast-paced style, it’s easy to see how he could thrive.
Then there’s Dallas. A deep, disciplined team with a strong identity and a belief that they’re one elite piece away from making a serious run.
Panarin could be that piece. They’ve got the depth, the goaltending, and the coaching.
What they need is a game-breaker who can tilt the ice in big moments. That’s Panarin.
What Panarin Didn’t Choose Tells Us Even More
Sometimes, the teams a player doesn’t choose are just as telling as the ones he does. Panarin’s reported shortlist doesn’t include sunny markets, big endorsement cities, or places where the media spotlight is a little softer.
He’s not chasing lifestyle or brand-building. He’s chasing a Cup.
That kind of focus is rare - and revealing. It tells you Panarin’s not interested in distractions. He’s looking at scoreboards, not skylines.
What Would a Deal Look Like?
If the Rangers do decide to move Panarin, the return likely falls into the “Brock Nelson rental” category - a solid package, but nothing that guts a team’s young core. That’s a big reason why a team like Edmonton stays in the mix. They have the assets to make that kind of move without mortgaging the future.
It’s a clean fit: Panarin gets his shot at a Cup, and the acquiring team gets a proven playoff performer who can elevate their top six without needing months to acclimate.
The Bottom Line
This is about one thing for Artemi Panarin: winning. He’s still elite, still dangerous, and still capable of making a massive impact in the postseason.
He knows his window isn’t infinite, and he’s not wasting time. If he’s going to waive his no-move clause, it’s not for comfort - it’s for a chance to lift the Cup.
And in his eyes, there are only a few places where that dream feels real. Edmonton.
Colorado. Dallas.
Let the bidding begin.