NHL Trade Rumblings: Panarin’s Price Tag, Hamilton’s Resurgence, and a Coaching Shuffle in Ottawa
As the NHL trade market starts to heat up, a few storylines are beginning to take shape - and they’re worth keeping an eye on. Artemi Panarin’s name is surfacing in serious trade chatter, Dougie Hamilton’s situation in New Jersey has taken a sharp turn, and in Ottawa, the Senators are shaking things up behind the bench in hopes of salvaging their season. Let’s break it all down.
Panarin’s Market Value: Think Big, Then Think Bigger
When a player like Artemi Panarin hits the trade block - or even just flirts with it - the league takes notice. We’re talking about a legitimate game-changer, a top-tier winger who’s been one of the most consistent point producers in the NHL for years. Finding a trade comparable for someone like Panarin isn’t easy, but teams are trying.
One deal that’s being used as a reference point is last offseason’s Brock Nelson trade, where the Colorado Avalanche gave up a first-round pick, a third-rounder, defenseman Oliver Kylington, and top prospect Calum Ritchie. That’s a solid return, but Panarin’s ceiling - and his track record - put him in a different tier.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers are using the Nelson deal as a starting point in talks. That means any team calling about Panarin better be ready to pony up more than just futures.
Washington is one of the teams reportedly kicking the tires, and they’ve got the draft capital to make it interesting. First and third-round picks?
No problem. But the real sticking point is the prospect pool.
In the Nelson trade, Ritchie was the jewel - a high-end prospect with real NHL upside. If the Capitals want to get serious about Panarin, they’ll need to offer someone in that mold.
Ryan Leonard is likely off the table, but names like Cole Hutson, Andrew Cristall, Ivan Miroshnichenko, and Ilya Protas have surfaced in speculation. Hutson, in particular, could be the kind of dynamic young piece that gets the Rangers’ attention.
And if there’s talk of a contract extension as part of the deal? That price tag only goes up.
Panarin isn’t just a rental - he’s a franchise-altering player. Any team that lands him is doing so with the expectation that he’ll help them win now and stay long-term.
That means multiple top-tier assets are likely heading back the other way.
Dougie Hamilton: From Trade Block to Key Contributor
Just a couple of weeks ago, it looked like Dougie Hamilton’s time in New Jersey was winding down. He’d been scratched, his agent and the Devils’ front office were speaking openly in the media, and the writing seemed to be on the wall.
Fast forward 15 days, and the script has flipped.
The Devils have rattled off a 5-1-0 record in that stretch, and Hamilton has been a big part of the turnaround. He’s put up points in all six games - seven total - and suddenly looks like the offensive catalyst they hoped he’d be when they signed him.
Add in the injury to Luke Hughes, and Hamilton’s value to the Devils has skyrocketed. With Hughes out long-term, New Jersey needs Hamilton’s presence on the blue line more than ever. He’s logging big minutes, driving play, and helping anchor a defense that’s been hit hard by injuries.
According to Friedman, the Devils are no longer actively shopping Hamilton. That doesn’t mean they won’t listen if a strong offer comes in, but for now, the urgency to move him has cooled. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can shift in this league - and how much value a veteran defenseman can bring when he’s playing his game.
Senators Shake Up Coaching Duties as PK Struggles Continue
In Ottawa, the Senators are trying to find answers - and they’re starting behind the bench. The team recently made an internal coaching change, shifting assistant coach Mike Yeo into the role of overseeing the penalty kill. Nolan Baumgartner, who previously handled the PK, will now focus on the power play.
The move comes as Ottawa’s penalty kill continues to be a major liability. At just 71.6%, it ranks near the bottom of the league - ahead of only the Vancouver Canucks - and has been a consistent problem all season. Opponents have been feasting on their shorthanded units, and it’s cost the Senators games they might otherwise have had a shot to win.
The team had been using a diamond formation, which often left one defender trying to cover too much ice. The hope is that a switch to a more traditional box setup will tighten things up and give the Senators a better chance to survive penalty kill situations.
There’s been some public frustration from the fanbase, with calls for a broader coaching change. But for now, the organization is staying the course. Despite the struggles, there are still positives to build on, and the belief is that the current staff - at least for the time being - can right the ship.
Final Thoughts
This stretch of the NHL calendar is where contenders start separating from pretenders, and front offices begin making tough decisions. Whether it’s the Rangers gauging the market for Panarin, the Devils re-evaluating Hamilton’s role, or the Senators trying to fix their special teams from within, the moves made now could have ripple effects deep into the spring.
One thing’s for sure: the trade chatter is only going to get louder. Buckle up.