Russian hockey player Artemiy Panarin is leaving the New York Rangers after less than seven seasons.
The “Riders” traded him to the Los Angeles Kings just before the Olympic break for a conditional pick in the 3rd round of this year’s NHL draft, the 4th round of the 2028 draft and young Canadian forward Liam Greentree.
At the same time, the 34-year-old winger signed a two-year contract with the “Kings”, which will earn him 11 million dollars per season
The Rangers also kept 50 percent of his salary based on the clubs’ agreement. Panarin’s current contract expires at the end of this season, and he could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The previous seven-year contract brought him an average of 11.64 million USD per year.
This year’s third-round pick, which was part of the deal, will become a second-round pick if the Kings win at least one playoff series this year. If they win two series, the Rangers will also receive a 4th round pick in the 2028 draft.
The team from Manhattan is struggling with results, it is at the very bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Rangers are preparing to reconstruct the staff, and Panarin no longer figured in general manager Chris Drury’s plans.
However, the club did not want to lose its driver for free, so it offered it to other clubs. However, according to TSN, LA was the only team the veteran Gunner was willing to head to and waive his no-trade clause.
The Rangers already left him off the roster a week ago, as they didn’t want to risk him getting injured before the expected trade.
Panarin was the Rangers’ biggest offensive star, regularly winning the team’s productivity. This year, he collected 57 points (19+38) in 52 games, while playing an average of 20:54 minutes per game.
He was most successful in the regular part of the 2023/2024 season, when he set a personal best with 49 goals and 120 points. In the past, he also worked in Chicago and Columbus.
The Rangers also traded defenseman Carson Soucy before Panarin, who was sent to the rival NY Islanders.
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