Chris Drury and the Rangers are in the spotlight again - and not for the reasons fans might hope. The buzz?
Artemi Panarin’s name has surfaced in trade chatter. And let’s be clear: it wasn’t a leak or rumor mill whisper.
This came straight from the top. Drury, the Rangers' GM, reportedly made it known that Panarin could be on the move.
Now, in the world of NHL front offices, that’s a bold - and arguably risky - move. Veteran hockey reporter Glenn Dreyfuss didn’t mince words, calling it a mistake.
“Exposing an asset you wish to trade goes against sports dealmaking,” he said. And he’s right.
If the league knows you’re shopping a star, you lose leverage. It’s like trying to sell a luxury car after telling everyone it’s got engine trouble.
The offers won’t exactly come pouring in at full price.
Panarin, affectionately known as “Breadman,” isn’t just another name on the roster. He’s a cornerstone talent with a no-movement clause - meaning any trade has to go through him.
So even if Drury wants to deal him, Panarin holds the cards. And right now, there’s no indication he’s interested in waiving that clause.
According to Jess Rubenstein, Panarin isn’t exactly thrilled with how things have gone down, and he may be looking to either leverage a new deal or make a point after what’s happened to the team’s core.
There’s another layer here, too. The Rangers recently had to dip into the goalie market, bringing in Spencer Martin - a former KHL player - to shore up their depth.
That move speaks volumes about the state of their AHL affiliate in Hartford. Simply put, the pipeline isn’t producing NHL-ready talent at the rate a contending team needs.
When you’re scrambling for goaltending depth midseason, it raises questions about organizational depth and development.
And then there’s Alexis Lafrenière. Once the crown jewel of the draft, now the subject of some pretty harsh criticism.
On the “NHL Wraparound” podcast, co-host Vic Morren didn’t hold back, floating the idea of a buyout and calling Lafrenière “one of the most useless players in the NHL.” That’s a heavy statement, and while it might be hyperbolic, it reflects the frustration around a player who hasn’t lived up to the hype - at least not yet.
Meanwhile, over in Pittsburgh, the Penguins are in the midst of a transition of their own. The core trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang is still intact, but they’re not getting any younger.
Under Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh missed the playoffs for three straight years - a rare drought for a team with that kind of pedigree. Now, rookie head coach Dan Muse is at the helm, and the Pens are pushing hard for a return to the postseason.
It’s a high-stakes gamble, but with a veteran core and a new voice behind the bench, they’re all in.
The contrast between Pittsburgh and New York is striking. One team is trying to squeeze one more run out of its aging stars, while the other is navigating internal turmoil, trade rumors, and questions about roster construction. And while Sullivan may have moved on, his impact on the Rangers - and the comparison to what’s happening in Pittsburgh - still lingers.
In the end, the Rangers’ front office has some tough decisions ahead. If Panarin stays, it’ll be on his terms. If he goes, the return better be worth it - not just in talent, but in resetting the direction of a team that’s teetering between contender and chaos.