“Untouchable No More? Insider Reveals Panarin’s Rangers Future Is On Thin Ice”
“Untouchable” is a term often used for a franchise’s most valuable players, but for the New York Rangers, that label might no longer apply to superstar Artemi Panarin. With the team facing significant pressure to contend, and Panarin entering the final year of his contract, whispers from inside the organization suggest his future on Broadway is on thin ice.
Panarin, who will be 34, has been the Rangers’ offensive engine, but his high-priced contract and declining playoff performance have become a major talking point. While he produced an impressive 89 points last season, his playoff output and a career-low -9 rating have raised questions about his long-term fit with a team that has to navigate salary cap constraints and a core of aging veterans.
Sources indicate that if the Rangers fail to make a deep playoff run this upcoming season, general manager Chris Drury may be forced to explore a blockbuster trade. The team’s desire to retool and build a younger core, combined with Panarin’s considerable trade value, makes a move a distinct possibility.
While Panarin possesses a full no-move clause, which would require his approval for any trade, the front office is reportedly prepared to have a difficult conversation if the team underperforms. Letting a player of Panarin’s caliber walk for nothing would be a disastrous outcome for the Rangers’ asset management.
Potential landing spots for the star forward are already being discussed, with teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins mentioned as having the cap space and desire to acquire a top-tier playmaker. For now, Panarin’s performance this season will not only determine the Rangers’ fate but also his own.