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The New York Rangers have finally completed a trade involving Artemi Panarin.
The Rangers are sending Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree, according to ESPN.
The writing is on the wall for a Panarin deal, with the Rangers struggling with a 22-28-6 record this season and the veteran left winger having just one year left on his contract. Panarin’s deal carried an average annual value of $11.642 million at the start of the season, and he is expected to become a free agent after the year.
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Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal by Chris Kreider #20 against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
With this trade, the Kings already have an extension in place – a sticking point with Panarin and his team, given their control in this process. ESPN reported an average annual value of $11 million over two years.
Panarin also told the Rangers that Los Angeles was his desired destination.
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The Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals were among the teams interested in making a deal with New York for Panarin.
Panarin, 34, was looking for a deal close to $50 million, and some teams might not have been willing to do the work if it didn’t make sense on their books.
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) warms up before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on March 29, 2025. (Robert Edwards-Imagn Images)
But the Kings piqued the Russian star’s interest and he joined a team chasing a playoff spot in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division.
The Kings are 23-17-14 this season, tied for the most overtime losses with the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights with 64 points. The Kings are right behind with 60 points.
This next chapter for Panarin marks the end of a seven-year stint with the Rangers, who failed to reach the Stanley Cup despite their recent success. Panarin played a key role in that, including a 120-point 2023-24 campaign in which New York won the Presidents’ Trophy for best regular season record.
New York Rangers left winger Artemi Panarin (10) skates through the blue against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena on April 10, 2025. (Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images)
The Rangers fell to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals in six games that season.
This season, Panarin has scored 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points despite the Rangers’ woes.
