Friedman links Artemi Panarin to four teams as Rangers continue to struggle

In 2024/25, the New York Rangers took a shocking, massive step backwards, and with a record of 20-20-6 this season, it doesn't appear that they're very close to turning things around.

After a disappointing season, the Rangers made some trades, and now, more could be on the horizon, and given that veteran star Artemi Panarin is a free agent at seasons end, he makes the most sense to be dealt.

Despite the Rangers overall struggles, Panarin has continued producing at an elite level, putting up point totals of 96, 92, 120 and 89 over the past four seasons, with 16 goals and 49 points in 45 games played thus far in 2025/26.

However, the Rangers are likely to try and get younger, and with the team unlikely to re-sign him this summer, it would make plenty of sense for them to try and deal him ahead of the March trade deadline.

Now, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman has addressed this topic on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, naming the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals as the four teams to keep an eye on in the Panarin sweepstakes.

On paper, all four would make sense as landing spots for Panarin, as all four teams have solid prospect pools that could excite the Rangers in any trade talks, and given the production we've seen from Panarin in the regular season, don't be shocked if these four teams and more push very hard to land the 34-year old.

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