Just before the NHL’s roster freeze took hold, the New York Rangers dropped a bombshell: Artemi Panarin is heading west, traded to the Los Angeles Kings. It’s a seismic shift for both franchises-but the ripple effects stretch beyond the two teams involved.
One of the biggest indirect winners? The Philadelphia Flyers.
Let’s break it down.
The deal sends Panarin, a bonafide offensive force, to L.A. in exchange for forward prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick. That third becomes a second-rounder if the Kings win a playoff round-and bumps up again if they win two.
It’s a calculated gamble for the Kings, who are clearly going all-in. But for the Flyers, this move feels like a silent victory lap.
Why? Because Artemi Panarin has been a nightmare matchup for Philadelphia for years.
Even though Panarin started his NHL career in the Western Conference, he’s spent the bulk of it terrorizing the Eastern Conference-and more specifically, the Metropolitan Division. That means the Flyers have seen plenty of him. Too much, really.
This season alone, Panarin faced the Flyers twice-and lit them up for two goals in each game, finishing with five points total. The Rangers won both matchups.
And that’s not an outlier. It’s the norm.
Panarin has faced the Flyers 38 times in his career-second only to the Islanders (40). In those 38 games, he’s piled up 19 goals (tied for the most he’s scored against any team) and 51 points (the most he’s recorded against any opponent). That’s not just consistent production-it’s dominance.
He’s gone pointless in just nine of those 38 games. Flip that around, and you’ve got 29 games where he’s registered at least one point-and in 15 of those, he’s put up two or more. That’s the kind of player who doesn’t just show up-he takes over.
So while the Flyers weren’t part of this deal, they benefit in a big way. With Panarin out west, they’ll only have to face him twice a season instead of potentially four or more. That’s a win for a team that’s had more than its share of headaches trying to contain him.
Sure, the Flyers still have to deal with Mika Zibanejad-who’s also been a thorn in their side with 46 points in 47 games against them-but this is about Panarin. And make no mistake: losing him is a major blow to the Rangers’ offensive firepower.
Philadelphia will get one more look at Panarin this season when they visit Los Angeles next month. But after that, it’s a welcome reprieve from one of the most consistent Flyers-killers of the past decade.
The only way this could’ve played out better for Philly? If they had somehow landed Panarin themselves.
That was always a long shot. But watching him leave the division-and the conference-without having to give up a single asset?
That’s a trade the Flyers will take every time.