Artemi Panarin is heading west.
After plenty of buzz linking the New York Rangers star to Florida - with both the Lightning and Panthers reportedly in the mix - it’s the Los Angeles Kings who landed one of the NHL’s most dynamic scorers in a trade finalized Wednesday.
For Tampa Bay and Florida, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Both teams were seen as attractive destinations for Panarin, and for good reason.
The tax advantages in Florida paired with the chance to join a contender made the Sunshine State a logical fit. But when the dust settled, neither team could make the numbers - or the timing - work.
Let’s start with the Lightning. According to reporting from ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, Tampa Bay’s hesitation may have stemmed from viewing Panarin as a short-term rental.
With free agency looming this summer, the Lightning weren’t ready to commit long-term, and Panarin, by all indications, was looking for more than just a few months in new colors. He wanted to sign an extension - a real partnership, not a quick playoff push.
Florida, meanwhile, had similar interest but even less flexibility. The Panthers are tight against the salary cap, and despite their strong roster and recent playoff pedigree, they simply couldn’t make the math work. “Don’t think Panthers ever got close, couldn’t make it work with the cap,” Kaplan posted on X.
So, Panarin heads to California - not the Southeast - and that’s at least a small silver lining for both Florida clubs. Instead of having to face him in a potential Eastern Conference playoff matchup, they’ll only have to worry about him if they meet the Kings in the Stanley Cup Final. That’s a big “if,” but in a league where postseason paths are brutal, any edge matters.
And make no mistake: Panarin still moves the needle. Even at 34, he’s producing at a point-per-game pace, a testament to his elite vision, hands, and hockey IQ.
He’s not just a power play weapon - he’s a game-breaker, the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series with a single shift. For Tampa Bay or Florida, he would’ve been a massive addition.
Instead, they’ll have to watch from afar as the Kings take their swing.
In the end, it came down to money, timing, and fit. And while the Florida teams circled, it was Los Angeles that stepped up and got the deal done.