The rumor mill is spinning in Manhattan, and for the first time, New York Rangers superstar Artemi Panarin isn’t slamming the brakes on it. With his contract expiring next summer, the 34-year-old winger was asked directly about speculation regarding a return to Russia. His answer? “I mean, you never know.”
That isn’t a no. For Rangers fans, that ambiguity is terrifying. Panarin, currently in the final year of his massive $11.6 million AAV deal, holds all the cards. If the Rangers fall out of contention by the March 6 NHL trade deadline, GM Chris Drury faces a nightmare scenario: lose an elite asset for nothing, or trade a fan favorite who might be planning a KHL retirement tour. Here is the reality of the situation.
The Reality of Panarin’s Contract Status
As an NHL analyst, I look at this situation and see a classic leverage play mixed with genuine life reflection. Panarin has made his money—generational money. By the end of this contract, he will have banked roughly $85 million in career earnings. He doesn’t need another NHL contract for financial security.
However, let’s be real. The “threat” of the KHL has been a bargaining chip for Russian superstars since the days of Ilya Kovalchuk. But Panarin is different. He beats to his own drum. The Rangers are in a salary cap bind, needing to pay younger stars like Lafrenière and eventually Shesterkin. They likely cannot offer Panarin another $11M+ deal at age 35.
My Personal Insight: I don’t think Panarin is done with the NHL yet. His game relies on IQ and playmaking, not blistering speed, which ages well. However, I do believe his time in New York is ticking down. If Drury senses that Panarin is even 50% serious about Russia—or simply testing the UFA market for one last payday—he has to consider moving him if the Rangers aren’t top-tier contenders at the deadline. It would be a heartbreaker for the Garden faithful, but losing him for zero return is a fireable offense for a GM.
Expect Panarin to test free agency. Whether that leads him to a contender with cap space or back home to Russia depends entirely on his hunger for one thing he hasn’t won yet: The Stanley Cup.
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The post Is This Goodbye? Artemi Panarin Addresses KHL Rumors appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
