We have another edition of NHL rumours ready to go. Training camp is starting in just over a month’s time. However, general managers are already thinking about beyond the 2025-26 campaign. A number of big names could become free agents if they don’t sign extensions by the end of the season. Some deals will likely get done soon, but others may be more uncertain.
One big-ticket player that could face an uncertain future is from the New York Rangers. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what may come next for that superstar player.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers Face Tough Decision on Superstar Forward
Rumour: Peter Baugh of The Athletic conducted an off-season mailbag where he laid out what may happen to Artemi Panarin beyond the end of this season. The veteran Russian is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Analysis: New York is coming off a disappointing campaign that saw them not realize its potential. The Blueshirts made some changes like making Mike Sullivan the team’s new head coach. However, there are number of key veterans like Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and others still on the roster.
The pressure is on the Rangers to bounce back from their forgettable 2024-25 season. A number of players could be on the block if the Rangers fall out of contention.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury realizes this and may be faced with some tough choices. One of those players that could face an tenuous future is Panarin, who will turn 34 early into the next season.
Baugh did try to probe into if Drury offered Panarin an extension. However, the Rangers reporter was rebuffed. Drury stated that Panarin is a big part of the organization.
What Could Happen
Panarin’s massive $11.64 million contract comes off the books at the end of the season and that will give the Blueshirts a ton of salary cap space. Puckpedia has the Rangers around $29 million in space if they don’t make any re-signings during the season.
Having nearly $30 million in space in a market like New York could be a chance for the Rangers to revamp their roster. Drury will have to allocate some of that money to Braden Schneider, but Drury may have plenty of space to be a player in the free agent market.
Massive names like Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov and Jack Eichel could become free agents as of July 1, 2026. However, Baugh was quick to point out that they may not hit the open market. Trying to get one of those three players will cost at least $12 million or more. However, they’d still have some room to make other additions.
If McDavid, Kaprizov or Eichel don’t hit the market, Drury may pivot to keeping Panarin. The deal could come at somewhat of a discount and allow the Rangers to make other moves.
Other Factors
A couple of things could factor into the Rangers moving on. Panarin’s age and another situation could make the team wish to go a different way. The Athletic’s Katie Strang reported in April, Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports, the company that owns the Rangers, paid financial settlements to a Rangers employee last year after she alleged that Panarin sexually assaulted her.
The team said that “the matter has been resolved” and Panarin did not comment. However, this could weigh into any decision the Rangers make to keep or trade the veteran forward.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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