Artemi Panarin\u2019s name has been all over the news wire in recent days after the New York Rangers confirmed they would not be offering the star winger a contract extension.<\/p>\n
The expectation now is that Panarin, who holds a full no-movement clause in his contract, will work with the Rangers to find a suitable trade destination ahead of this season\u2019s March 6 trade deadline. The 34-year-old forward is an unrestricted free agent in July, so negotiating an extension with him may be paramount for any interested parties.<\/p>\n
During a recent appearance on Sportsnet\u2019s Real Kyper & Bourne show<\/a>, hockey insider Frank Seravalli outlined what those Panarin extension talks could look like.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a number of teams that are looking at this situation, going, \u2018Hmm, I don\u2019t know if we\u2019re in it for the long haul with Panarin,\u2019 and by long haul, I mean legitimately that,\u201d Seravalli said<\/a>. \u201cThe belief is around the league that Panarin is looking for a longer-term deal, potentially even one that takes him to 40 [years old].<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how much teams have a stomach for that; someone will, because it only takes one. But even as a rental, he\u2019s viewed as a very attractive option where maybe outside of New York, he doesn\u2019t have to be the guy for the first time and could be that really nice supporting piece.\u201d<\/p>\n Coming into the season, AFP Analytics projected Panarin\u2019s extension<\/a> to come in at around four years and $41 million ($10.25M AAV), with the closest comparable being Alex Ovechkin\u2019s five-year, $47.5 million extension ($9.5M AAV) with the Washington Capitals in 2021.<\/p>\n After Seravalli\u2019s reporting, that deal may actually slide into the five or six-year range, and given Panarin\u2019s consistent production and the rising salary cap environment, may even be more expensive.<\/p>\n Panarin has 56 points (19g, 37a) in 50 games for the Rangers this season and has recorded 80-or-more points in seven of his last eight seasons. He posted a career high 120 points (49g, 71a) in 82 games with the Rangers during the 2023-24 campaign.<\/p>\n The Capitals are expected to be one of the most interested parties in acquiring Panarin, as they were recently listed as front-runners alongside the Colorado Avalanche<\/a>. The Caps will have the salary cap flexibility to take in Panarin\u2019s contract and a potential extension, as Ovechkin and a few other veteran players are expected to come off the team\u2019s books within the next few years.<\/p>\n