The New York Rangers had a letdown of a season and may overhaul their roster as a result.
After missing the playoffs, multiple key players have surfaced in trade rumors. On the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia, which allows fans to simulate trades, one user suggested a scenario where Artemi Panarin is dealt to the Los Angeles Kings.
Rangers acquire:
Proposed Trade:
Kings receive: Artemi Panarin
Rangers receive: Alex Laferriere, 2025 first-round pick
This trade proposal offers a logical scenario: the Kings bolster their offense by adding a proven top-line winger in Panarin, while the Rangers get younger and reshape their roster.
New York would gain a 2025 first-round pick and forward Alex Laferriere, a 23-year-old pending RFA who could fit into a middle-six role. Laferriere brings speed and youth to the lineup and is coming off a solid season with 19 goals and 23 assists (42 points) in 77 games.
On the other side, the Rangers part ways with Panarin, who has long been a central piece of their offense. He has one year remaining on his seven-year, $81.5 million contract. Although Panarin holds a no-move clause, a trade to the Cup-contending Kings might appeal to him as a fresh opportunity.
With Los Angeles, Panarin would immediately slot into a top-line role, bringing a major offensive boost. He posted 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points in 80 games last season.
Insider: Rangers Could Deal Panarin
After missing the playoffs this season, the New York Rangers may look to make significant changes to their roster during the offseason.
With Artemi Panarin entering the final year of his contract, trade rumors have started to swirl around him. On May 6, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that Panarin’s name has surfaced in trade discussions.
“We’ll have to see what moves general manager Chris Drury might be planning,” Pagnotta said. “Don’t be shocked if names like Chris Kreider or Mika Zibanejad come up, even though Zibanejad has a full no-movement clause. Lately, I’ve also been hearing some buzz around Artemi Panarin. I can’t say for sure if he’s truly on the trade block, but with only one year left on his deal, the Rangers have a big decision to make—stick with their current core or explore trading Panarin for a strong return and use the cap space to reshape the roster.”
Pagnotta acknowledged it’s still early and speculative, but he expects the Rangers to be at the center of some compelling offseason storylines as they look to regroup for next year.
Panarin, a two-time NHL All-Star, has been with the Rangers since 2019.
Rangers Hire Mike Sullivan
The Rangers kicked off their offseason with a major move, parting ways with head coach Peter Laviolette and bringing in Mike Sullivan as his replacement.
Sullivan, recently dismissed by the Pittsburgh Penguins, was quickly hired by New York to take over behind the bench.
“Mike Sullivan has proven himself as one of the NHL’s top coaches,” Rangers GM Chris Drury said in a statement. “His résumé speaks for itself—with two Stanley Cups and international experience leading Team USA, he brings a championship-caliber mindset. Once he became available, it was clear to us that he was the right choice to guide this team moving forward.”
