Artemi Panarin is quickly becoming one of the biggest names to watch ahead of the NHL trade deadline. After New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury signaled that the organization is shifting toward a retool.
With the Rangers making it clear that Panarin will not receive an extension, attention has now turned to where the star winger could land next. According to NHL insiders, multiple contenders have already entered the mix, with the Colorado Avalanche emerging as a leading suitor.
Avalanche at the Front of the Pack for Artemi Panarin
Panarin has a full no-movement clause in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million deal, giving him total say over his next destination. In The Athletic, NHL analysts Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano explained how that dynamic could shape the market.
“With a full no-movement clause, the team will have to work with him to pick a destination,” They said. “If Panarin will only waive for one or two places, it could significantly lower his trade value. If he’s open to more, the Rangers will likely do better on a return.”
They identified Colorado and Washington as the two teams most actively involved in trade discussions. Dallas and Carolina are also worth monitoring. Florida was described as an appealing landing spot, though salary cap constraints could be an issue.
Colorado’s interest in Panarin is not new. The Avalanche were finalists for his services during free agency in 2019Â and have reportedly revisited the idea internally as the deadline approaches. “They have been the best team in the league to start the season. If Panarin wants a prime chance to win, Colorado makes sense, from his perspective,” Insiders reported.
Fitting Panarin’s contract under the cap won’t be easy, but Colorado does have options. One possible path involves including Ross Colton in the deal. He has one year remaining on his contract at a $4 million cap hit and enjoyed a 40-point campaign in the 2023-24 season.
Washington Capitals Also in the Mix
The other major contender linked to Panarin is the Washington Capitals. Their interest aligns closely with organizational needs, as GM Chris Patrick recently stated that acquiring a “higher-end, skilled winger” is Washington’s top deadline priority.
Washington has the assets to make it work. The Capitals are projected to have $12.78 million in deadline cap space and offer a strong mix of draft capital, top under-23 prospects, and NHL-ready players like Ethen Frank, Hendrix Lapierre, and Declan Chisholm.
“A match makes sense, but only if Panarin has any interest in going to Washington,” they said.
Even with retained salary, Panarin’s cap hit remains a hurdle. At 50 percent retention, an acquiring team would still need to fit $5.82 million under the cap. Another unknown is whether Panarin would consider an extension or finish the season as a rental.
For now, Panarin and the Rangers return to action Friday against the San Jose Sharks. But trade chatter surrounding his future is only getting louder.
