Panarin Will Be Worth The Price
The official New York Rangers’ roster pegs Artemi Panarin at 176 pounds, but he is truly the 800-pound gorilla of the 2026 NHL trade market.
At 32, Panarin boasts 926 points in 823 games for an average 1.15 points per game.
That ranks sixth in the NHL, not that far off from the likes of Nikita Kucherov (1.26), Sidney Crosby (1.24), Leon Draisaitl (1.22) and Nathan MacKinnon (1.19). Panarin’s PPG is better than legends such as his fellow Russians Evgeni Malkin (1.11) and Alex Ovechkin (1.08) or American standout Austin Matthews (1.14)
Panarin began averaging better than a point per game in his third NHL season and continued that trend for eight complete seasons. Even in the midst of this demoralizing Rangers season, he looks like he will do it again. He has 56 points in 51 games and is on a pace for 30 goals.
If there is one player in the trade market worth overpaying to get, it’s Panarin. When it comes to generating offense, he’s Mr. Consistency
What’s he worth in the marketplace? It’s complicated to say the least. On one hand, it’s good situation for the Rangers because Panarin is willing to re-sign with a new team now. At least, that’s what we’ve heard. In theory, it means the Rangers can perhaps ask for more.
However, the negative, from the Rangers perspective, is that Panarin has complete control of his future because he has a full no-trade clause. That means there will no bidding war in terms of a trade return. That may force the Rangers to take what they can get.
The tricky part for the acquiring team is not to give Panarin too many years. If you take him into his 40s, you will likely end up regretting it. You likely will have to pay him at least $10 million, but the length can’t be longer than five years.
About all the Rangers can do is set a reasonable trade value and allow Panarin to talk to multiple teams about a contract and hope Panarin’s choice will pay their asking price in the interest of getting the deal done quickly.
Acquiring Panarin makes too much sense for too many teams to say there’s a favorite. The Carolina Hurricanes want to finally make a post-season splash. The Minnesota Wild probably would like to pair him with fellow Russian Kirill Kaprizov. The Quinn Hughes deal suggests the Wild are all-in. Don’t rule out the Colorado Avalanche who could transform themselves into a super elite offensive team with a Panarin trade. And some say the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers are hiding in plain sight. But GM Bill Zito doesn’t seem to have the assets or the cap space to get it done this time, although it doesn’t mean he won’t try.
2. Standing Down?: New Jersey Hockey Now reports the Devils have slowed their roll when it comes to trading Dougie Hamilton because Luke Hughes is on the injured list and Hamilton is playing better.
3. You Bet, I’m Irked: It bugs me every time a broadcaster points out that the NHL has become even more diligent when it comes to making sure the correct scoring play is being recorded in terms of goals and assists. It’s now about getting it right for the gambling industry. Does that mean the statistics compiled over the last few decades aren’t accurate?
4. Yzerman’s Best Trade: With a 17-2 record since Dec. 2, Detroit’s John Gibson has put himself into the Vezina Trophy conversation. He has joined Chris Ogood as the only two Red Wings goalies to post two eight-game winning streaks in a single season. In those 19 decisions, Gibson has three shutouts and has only given up more than three goals twice. His save percentage has been .909 or better in 13 of the 19 games. GM Steve Yzerman gave up a second-round draft pick and a fourth to the Anaheim Ducks of Gibson.
5. Roy’s Rules: New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy benched the Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Anthony Duclair line for the entire third period against Buffalo. If that surprises you, then you are probably too young to have seen Roy play. He was a fiery competitor who cared about the details of his craft. If you aren’t focused on how you should be playing to be at your best, you are going to run afoul of Roy.
6. Desirable D Man: If the Winnipeg Jets don’t re-sign 6-foot-7 defenseman Logan Stanley soon, they will be answering multiple trade inquiries about the pending 2026 UFA. Too many teams are looking for defensive depth to ignore a defenseman with the potential to finish with close to 100 blocked shots, more than 120 hits and maybe 10 goals.
7. 1,000 Goal Club: Alex Ovechkin needs only five goals to total 1,000 NHL goals in the regular-season and playoffs. Wayne Gretzky has a combined 1,016 NHL regular-season and playoff. If you add in Gretzky’s World Hockey Association regular-season (46) and postseason (10) goals, Gretzky’s total goes to 1,072. Gordie Howe’s combined NHL-WHA totals are interesting. He had 801 NHL goals, plus 174 WHA goals for 975 total. He has 68 NHL playoff goals and 28 WHL postseason tallies for a total of 96. His combined goals for both leagues are 1,071, leaving him one behind Gretzky.
8. Dead Heat: Penn State freshman Gavin McKenna is still ranked No. 1 on most 2026 NHL draft ranking sites, but the Athletic a few days ago joined Elite Prospects and Sportsnet in moving McKenna to No. 2. The Athletic and Elite Prospects have Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg at No. 1 while Sportsnet is going with North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 1. None of those players will match the instant impact that 2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer is making this season, but all three players will be significant NHLers. It seems particularly hard to compare the forwards. McKenna has 10 goals and 29 points in 22 games of college hockey, while Stenberg has seven goals and 28 points in 29 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. You have to compare college hockey and pro hockey to sort that one out. They both put up points at the World Junior Championship, but Stenberg registered important points on the way to a Swedish gold medal.
