The New York Rangers aren’t off to the start they’d hoped for. Sitting second-last in the Metropolitan Division with a 10-9-2 record and coming off two straight losses, the team is under pressure to figure things out quickly.
As the struggles continue, Artemi Panarin’s future in New York has become a significant talking point, mainly after reports emerged that he turned down a “team-friendly” contract extension. Now, a Russian NHL legend has muddied the waters a bit more over Panarin’s options.
Alexei Kovalev Addresses Artemi Panarin’s Contract Situation with the Rangers
Panarin is in the final season of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract, and reports indicate he turned down an early extension offer modeled after Anze Kopitar’s shorter, lower-cap-hit deal in Los Angeles. His decision has only added fuel to the speculation that the Rangers might consider trade possibilities.
Former Rangers star and Stanley Cup champion Alexei Kovalev shared his perspective on Panarin’s standoff with RG Media.
Kovalev reflected on his own past decisions, saying he once left Montreal on principle because he wanted more respect. Looking back, he noted, “Money is not always the main thing, far from it. What matters most is the place, the comfort, the people. Sometimes, you can give up some money and still enjoy the team and the environment.”
Kovalev also hinted that Panarin may be thinking even bigger than just leaving the Rangers. He might be considering leaving the NHL altogether and returning home. “There are even talks that he wants to leave the NHL altogether and go back to Russia. I don’t know if it’s true, but that’s what people here are saying,” Kovalev noted.
Kovalev also highlighted New York’s defensive issues as a significant reason for their slow start. He questioned why the Rangers still haven’t added one or two reliable defensemen, as it’s putting extra strain on both the goaltending and the offense.
“Without a solid defense, you won’t get far. You can’t have such a big hole on the blue line. They started very slowly, too many losses, let’s see how it goes,” Kovalev said.
So far this season, Panarin has racked up 19 points in 21 games, continuing to be one of the Rangers’ most reliable players.
For now, the team and its fans are left waiting to see how his future unfolds and whether the rumors of an NHL exit have any substance, especially with American Thanksgiving around the corner.
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