The New York Rangers are officially turning the page after a disappointing season. Despite a much-needed 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday, the Rangers remain last in the Metropolitan Division with a 21-22-6 record.
With playoff hopes fading, the organization has begun shifting its focus toward a roster retool, and Artemi Panarin has found himself at the center of that transition.
Artemi Panarin Speaks Out as Rangers Stall on Contract Extension Talks
On Friday, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury released a statement outlining the organization’s plan to retool rather than rebuild. He acknowledged that key veteran players could be moved as part of that process.
As part of those discussions, Panarin was informed that he would not be offered a contract extension. Drury also made it clear he was willing to work with Panarin and his agent, Paul Theofanous, to facilitate a trade to a destination of the winger’s choosing, should it come to that.
Panarin is in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract and holds a full no-movement clause. Reports had previously suggested the Rangers explored a short-term extension modeled after Anže Kopitar’s two-year, $7 million-per-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings, but that didn’t gain traction. With extension talks stalling, New York ultimately decided to move in a different direction.
Panarin admitted the news came as a surprise to him. “It’s hard to say how I feel. I’m still confused, but the GM decided to go in a different direction, I’m okay with that,” Panarin said. “I’m a Ranger player right now, so I’ll play every game 100%.”
He backed those words up on the ice against the Flyers, with a three-point night, scoring twice and adding an assist.
As part of the retool, the team has reportedly checked in with all players holding no-move clauses to see if they want to stay through the transition or consider other options.
In his statement, Drury emphasized that the retool will be built around the team’s core players and prospects, with an emphasis on flexibility moving forward.
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“This will be a retool built around our core players and prospects,” Drury wrote, “We will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed, and a winning pedigree with a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks, and cap space to allow us flexibility moving forward. That means saying goodbye to players that have brought us and our fans great moments over the years.”
For now, Panarin remains focused on playing out the season in New York. But his next chapter could come sooner rather than later as the trade deadline approaches.
