The Florida Panthers’ season has hit a rough patch. Following a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, Florida now sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Still, they remain in the playoff mix and are widely expected to explore upgrades ahead of the March trade deadline.
One name now gaining traction in trade circles is New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin, and a new connection has only fueled speculation about a potential fit in Florida.
Panthers Connection Emerges in Growing Artemi Panarin Trade Talk
Panarin is one of the most intriguing trade names now, sitting in the final year of his $81.5M deal with a full no-move clause. He’s been held out as New York works with his camp on potential destinations. But any trade comes with complications.
Panarin is believed to be seeking roughly $50 million on his next contract, a demand that narrows the list of realistic suitors.
According to NHL insider Steve Werier, the Panthers’ link to Panarin may come down to relationships as much as roster needs. Panarin’s agent, Paul Theofanous, also represents Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who is in the final year of his $10 million AAV contract. The two Russian stars are close friends and were once rumored to be a potential package deal when they hit free agency back in 2019.
Werier explained, “One of the first questions to ask in a high leverage situation where an NHL team allows a marquee player to speak to other clubs about a trade and extension is this: Who is the agent and what does that mean?”
Bobrovsky’s long-term outlook in Florida could end up shaping any potential Panarin move. If Panarin wants to land with the Panthers without creating cap fallout, the solution would likely come down to inventive contract structuring. Something Florida’s management has already done.
With a veteran-friendly extension on Brad Marchand’s six-year deal that runs into his early 40s.
A Creative Contract Could Make It Work
Werier suggested that Florida could prioritize the present and offer Panarin a long-term extension to keep his cap hit manageable. “A maximum 8-year deal is possible, but that might be stretching the contract across a bridge too far/long,” he said.
A possible solution is a seven-year, $50 million deal ($7.14M AAV) built around heavy signing bonuses to limit long-term risk. The structure could keep Panarin productive for the next few seasons while preserving cap flexibility. In a worst-case scenario, an LTIR-style retirement later in the deal could allow Florida to regain cap flexibility while Panarin still collects his money.
For now, it remains to be seen whether the Panthers pursue this bold idea or if Panarin ultimately lands elsewhere.
