Artemi Panarin Trade Rumors: Could San Jose Be a Surprise Landing Spot?
As the NHL trade market begins to heat up, Artemi Panarin is emerging as the most notable name potentially on the move-and the New York Rangers seem ready to shake things up. While it’s still early in the trade cycle, Panarin appears to be the first major domino to fall, and there’s already buzz about a surprising suitor: the San Jose Sharks.
Now, on the surface, Panarin heading to San Jose might raise a few eyebrows. But when you dig into the Sharks’ recent moves and roster construction, there’s a case to be made that this could be more than just smoke.
San Jose’s Buyer Mentality
First off, the Sharks aren’t sitting back. They’ve already made it clear they’re buyers, not sellers, sending a prospect and two second-round picks to Vancouver in exchange for Kiefer Sherwood.
That move wasn’t just about adding a depth piece-it signaled intent. San Jose is in the thick of the playoff race in a wide-open Pacific Division, currently sitting in third place.
But despite their position, they’ve only scored 152 goals-well behind both Vegas and Edmonton, the two teams ahead of them in the standings.
That’s where Panarin comes in. He’s not just another forward-he’s a game-changer.
His ability to create offense, control the pace, and draw attention opens up the ice for everyone else. For a team like San Jose that’s looking to make a real push, adding a player like Panarin could be the type of move that swings a playoff series.
A Star to Pair with Celebrini
San Jose has some exciting young talent, starting with Macklin Celebrini. But beyond him, the scoring depth is thin.
Alex Wennberg leads the secondary scoring group with 10 goals and 33 points. Will Smith has been solid when healthy, with 31 points in 33 games, but the Sharks’ other young forwards-Colin Graf and William Eklund-are still finding their footing at the NHL level.
That’s not a knock on their potential. Graf and Eklund are promising players, but they’re not quite there yet in terms of driving offense consistently.
Bringing in Panarin would give the Sharks a legitimate top-line weapon, easing the pressure on the kids and pushing others into more appropriate roles down the lineup. It’s the kind of move that balances development with winning now.
Not a Rental: The Extension Factor
If San Jose is serious about Panarin, it won’t be a short-term fling. Any deal would likely include an extension, which changes the price tag significantly. This isn’t a rental situation-this is a long-term investment in a proven offensive star.
Think back to the Derick Brassard-Mika Zibanejad trade. At the time, Brassard was the more established player, and the Rangers gave him up for a younger Zibanejad and a second-round pick.
That deal didn’t pay off immediately, but the Rangers played the long game-and it paid off big. Zibanejad blossomed into a top-line center, and the Rangers came out ahead.
In this scenario, the Rangers could be looking to repeat that formula: trade the better player now to build something stronger down the line. Meanwhile, San Jose gets the immediate boost they’re looking for.
What Would the Trade Cost Look Like?
Let’s talk assets. Would Sharks GM Mike Grier be willing to move one of Graf or Eklund, plus Edmonton’s first-round pick this year? That’s a steep price, but not unreasonable for a player of Panarin’s caliber-especially with an extension attached.
The Rangers might need to toss in a sweetener to make it work-maybe a mid-level prospect or a mid-round pick. But there’s another wrinkle here that could shift the dynamics: Logan Couture’s contract.
If the Rangers are willing to take on Couture’s $8 million cap hit for next season, that could change the math. Suddenly, San Jose might be more willing to include a higher-end piece like Filip Bystedt, a former first-round pick and a center with legit upside.
Could This Be a Package Deal?
This doesn’t have to be a one-for-one swap. What if the Rangers packaged Panarin with defenseman Braden Schneider?
San Jose needs help on the blue line just as much as they need offensive firepower. That kind of deal could open the door to even bigger names coming back-think Michael Misa (unlikely), Will Smith, or a combination of top prospects and picks.
And if the Rangers are also taking on Couture’s contract in that scenario? That’s a massive trade package. But it’s also the kind of blockbuster that could reshape both franchises.
The Fit Is Real-But So Are the Questions
There’s a lot that makes sense here. The Sharks have the need, the assets, and the cap space.
The Rangers are in a position to reset a bit and build toward a more sustainable future. The two GMs know each other, and the groundwork for a deal is there.
The biggest unknown? Panarin’s no-move clause. He holds the cards, and whether he’s open to heading west to San Jose-and living in the Bay Area-will ultimately determine if this has legs.
But if he is? Don’t be surprised if the Sharks make a serious push. Few teams have the young talent San Jose does, and even fewer have the motivation to swing big right now.
This one’s worth keeping an eye on.