Overview
- Artemi Panarin is in the final year of his 2019 contract and can reach unrestricted free agency next offseason.
- NHL insider Dan Rosen says he does not expect Panarin to sign an extension during the season.
- Rosen outlines a performance-based fork: a potential trade before the 2026 deadline if the Rangers falter or a stronger case to stay if they succeed.
- Frank Seravalli suggests the club could let Panarin walk in free agency if the team proves noncompetitive.
- New York’s slow start includes Panarin at 0 goals and 2 assists through five games and an NHL first of three home games without a goal, sharpening focus on the cap stakes of his $11.64 million AAV under a rising ceiling near $104 million.