As the NHL's Olympic roster freeze approaches on Wednesday, the New York Rangers are under pressure to trade star winger Artemi Panarin. The 34-year-old forward, who holds a full no-movement clause, seeks a lucrative extension and prefers teams like the Florida Panthers. Multiple contenders, including the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, remain in the mix amid ongoing negotiations.
The New York Rangers are racing against time to finalize a trade for Artemi Panarin before the league's Olympic roster freeze begins at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 3, 2026, and extends until February 23. Panarin, a 34-year-old Russian winger enjoying a strong season with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games, has drawn widespread interest after the Rangers announced they will not re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent. His full no-movement clause empowers him, through agent Paul Theofanous, to select his next destination, complicating the process.
League sources indicate Panarin prioritizes a high-value extension, potentially around $50 million, as the final contract of his career. Florida Panthers emerge as his top choice, bolstered by his friendship with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, while the Tampa Bay Lightning have gained recent momentum. Both Florida teams face challenges accommodating the extension due to cap constraints, though general managers Bill Zito and Julien BriseBois have histories of creative deals.
Other interested parties include the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings, which offer salary-cap flexibility; the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals, valued for their trade assets; and the Detroit Red Wings, who possess cap space, a deep prospect pool, and draft picks appealing to Rangers GM Chris Drury. Detroit envisions Panarin joining captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the top line to accelerate their rebuild. The Red Wings' limited long-term commitments, beyond re-signings like Simon Edvinsson, make a deal feasible.
Panarin was held out of the Rangers' last three games for "roster management" to facilitate discussions. While a rental option, such as to the Dallas Stars, could open paths, sources like The Athletic's Vince Mercogliano report Panarin resists short-term moves. TSN's Chris Johnston and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggest a deal could materialize as early as Wednesday, ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. Failure to trade him now risks leverage loss, though both sides prefer resolution to allow adjustment before the season resumes post-Olympics.
The situation remains fluid, with Panarin's preferences and extension demands central to the outcome.
