The New York Rangers are clearly signaling that their retooling phase is more than just talk. After sending Carson Soucy across town to the Islanders, the front office seems primed for something bigger-potentially seismic. And if the chatter around the league is any indication, the Blueshirts are open for business.
Just about every name on the roster has come up in trade conversations. Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafrenière, Mika Zibanejad-even Adam Fox has been floated in some circles.
But the name that keeps rising to the top? Artemi Panarin.
Panarin’s future in New York suddenly feels more uncertain than ever. There’s no shortage of interest.
Teams are circling, trade scenarios are flying, and the Rangers are listening. The key for New York, though, is clear: they want to get younger, faster, and more flexible.
Which brings us to one name that’s been linked to them more than once-Shane Wright.
Wright, the 22-year-old center and former fourth-overall pick, hasn’t quite hit his stride in Seattle. He’s shown flashes, but consistency has been elusive.
Last year’s 19-goal, 44-point campaign hinted at his upside, but this season hasn’t followed the same trajectory. A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs-and the Rangers could be the team to offer it.
Now, let’s be real: a straight-up Panarin-for-Wright deal doesn’t make much sense on its own. Panarin is still an elite offensive weapon, a top-line winger who can tilt the ice and pile up points.
If Seattle wants to bring that kind of firepower into their top six, they’d have to sweeten the pot. Incentives, picks, maybe even another young player-something to bridge the value gap.
There’s just one major obstacle: Panarin holds a no-trade clause, and he’d have to sign off on any move. And Seattle?
That might not be the destination he has in mind. The Kraken are still trying to find their identity.
They’re not in the playoff picture right now, and they don’t have the kind of emerging young core that would make them an obvious “win-now” spot. Think of teams like Dallas or Florida-those are more in line with Panarin’s Cup-contending ambitions.
So while the fit on paper might work for the Rangers, the human element-Panarin’s willingness to waive his clause-makes this a long shot.
But the Rangers and Kraken aren’t done talking.
There’s another idea floating around, and it’s one that’s gained some traction: a swap of former top prospects-Alexis Lafrenière for Shane Wright. It’s a deal that even insiders like Elliotte Friedman have mentioned, and it’s easy to see why.
Both players were drafted with sky-high expectations. Lafrenière, the No. 1 pick in 2020, hasn’t broken out the way many hoped.
Wright, taken fourth overall in 2022, has had his own struggles. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh start.
From a roster-building perspective, it makes sense for both sides. Lafrenière doesn’t have any trade protection this season or next, so if the Rangers are going to move him, the window is open. Meanwhile, Wright could slot in as a long-term option down the middle for New York-perhaps even as a future replacement for Trocheck or Zibanejad.
But there are questions here too. Would Seattle view Lafrenière as the top-six scorer they’re looking for? Would the Rangers be comfortable betting on Wright’s upside, knowing he’s still trying to find his NHL footing?
It’s a gamble either way, and maybe that’s why a 1-for-1 swap isn’t necessarily the most likely outcome. A larger deal, involving more pieces on both sides, might be the better path forward.
Still, the smoke is real. The Rangers are active, the Kraken are listening, and both teams are in positions where bold moves could pay off.
Stay tuned-because this doesn’t feel like the end of the conversation. It feels like the start of something big.