Panarin out of lineup as Rangers work trade lines — The Fourth Period

Artemi Panarin’s playing days with the New York Rangers seem to be over.

The Rangers announced on Wednesday that Panarin is being scratched from tonight’s game for “roster management purposes” and is not expected to suit up for the club again leading up to next week’s Olympic break.

Rangers GM Chris Drury has been working the phone lines trying to find a trade partner for Panarin, who is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Panarin’s agent Paul Theofanous has been working with Drury to find the right suitor for Panarin, and as TFP reported last week, the possibility of a contract extension to accompany a trade exists.

The Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks are among the teams believed to have interest in Panarin, who ranks No.1 on TFP’s latest Trade Watch List.

During Wednesday’s episode of DFO Rundown Insider Edition, TFP’s David Pagnotta noted some teams, like the Capitals and Kings, are interested in a three-year extension worth around $12 million per season.

“That seems to be a comfortable number for a lot of teams,” Pagnotta said. “Are there others? Would Carolina get into that mix? Would Dallas get into that Dallas? Obviously, Dallas has to get Jason Robertson locked in, maybe they view (Panarin) purely as a rental to go chase a Stanley Cup.

“The package still seems to be the same … you’re looking at a first-round pick, a top prospect and an additional asset, and all that varies based on maybe prospect equivalent to a first-round pick and another prospect like that but that’s the bones of it, the meat they’ll have to figure out.”

In 52 games with the Rangers this season, Panarin registered 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points. His last game with the Blueshirts was on Monday against the Boston Bruins.