Rangers to scratch Artemi Panarin for roster management reasons
The New York Rangers will be keeping star winger Artemi Panarin out of their lineup moving forward for “asset protection purposes” in anticipation of an upcoming trade, according to multiple reports.
Frank Seravalli was the first to share the news that the Rangers will scratch Panarin for their game against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, adding that “he’s not expected to play in any of the Rangers’ games before the Olympics, playing it safe until a trade materializes.”
Panarin, 34, has 19 goals and 57 points in 52 games with the Rangers this season. The Russian winger is in the final year of his contract with the Rangers, which carries an $11.6 million cap hit, and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
#NYR Artemi Panarin is out of tonight's lineup for asset protection purposes - and he's not expected to play in any of the Rangers' games before the Olympics, playing it safe until a trade materializes.
Earlier this month, Rangers general manager Chris Drury shared a letter to fans explaining that the team is entering a retooling phase. The Blueshirts currently sit in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-25-6 record through 53 games and are currently 12 points outside a playoff spot.
Panarin, who originally signed with the Rangers as a UFA back in 2019, has full control over his situation by way of a no-movement clause in his contract. The 6′ left wing scored 120 points with the Rangers two seasons ago and remains one of the most consistently productive forwards in the NHL.
An undrafted player, Panarin first arrived in North America with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015 after winning the Gagarin Cup with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg the previous season. Panarin immediately established himself as an NHL superstar, beating out Connor McDavid for the Calder Trophy in his first season and putting up huge numbers in two years each with the Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Panarin is widely seen as the top player available ahead of this year’s trade deadline. The two-time first team NHL All-Star has racked up 321 goals and 927 points in 804 career games with the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, and Rangers, adding 21 goals and 61 points in 73 playoff contests with the three clubs.
The Rangers have four games left to play before the 2026 Winter Olympics kick off in Milan, Italy. After facing off against the Islanders for a home-and-home set on Wednesday and Thursday, they’ll visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday before hosting the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 5.