The Los Angeles Kings have traded for star forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers just before the NHL's Olympic roster freeze. Panarin, who waived his no-movement clause, signed a two-year extension with the Kings worth $11 million annually. In return, the Rangers received prospect Liam Greentree and conditional draft picks.
On February 4, 2026, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers completed a significant trade ahead of the 3 p.m. ET NHL Olympic roster freeze for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The Kings acquired 34-year-old forward Artemi Panarin, with the Rangers retaining 50 percent of his $11.6 million salary cap hit for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. Panarin, in the final year of a seven-year, $81.5 million contract signed in 2019, immediately agreed to a two-year extension with Los Angeles valued at $22 million ($11 million AAV), beginning in the 2026-27 season and running through 2027-28.
Panarin has recorded 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 52 games this season, leading the Rangers in scoring for the fifth straight year. A two-time NHL All-Star and 2016 Calder Trophy winner, he ranks ninth in Rangers history with 607 points (205 goals, 402 assists) over six seasons. His career totals stand at 927 points (321 goals, 606 assists) in 804 regular-season games across stints with Chicago, Columbus, and New York. "Panarin is a terrific player and a great teammate," Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said after a recent loss, acknowledging the impact of his departure.
The Rangers, mired in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-28-6 record, are retooling their roster as announced by president and general manager Chris Drury on January 16. They received 20-year-old prospect Liam Greentree, selected 26th overall by the Kings in the 2024 NHL Draft, along with a conditional third-round pick in 2026 (which upgrades to second-round if Los Angeles advances past one playoff round) and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2028 (if they win two rounds). Greentree has 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) in 34 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League this season, down from 119 points in 64 games last year, but he remains a highly regarded forward and team captain.
For the Kings, who sit fifth in the Pacific Division at 23-17-14 and one point behind Seattle for the second Western Conference wild-card spot, Panarin addresses a need for offensive firepower. Los Angeles ranks among the league's lowest-scoring teams at 2.57 goals per game. Analysts praise the deal for the Kings, noting Panarin's elite playmaking—fifth in NHL assists (606) since 2015-16—could elevate their power play and playoff chances, though his age adds to their aging core. Rangers fans expressed disappointment online, viewing the return as underwhelming given Panarin's no-movement clause limited options. The trade underscores New York's shift toward youth while bolstering Los Angeles' push for a deeper postseason run after four straight first-round exits to Edmonton.
