Artemi Panarin must be finding the wait long

Since last Wednesday, Artemi Panarin has been watching hockey from afar. Literally.

The New York Rangers’ star forward has been scratched from the lineup for a third consecutive game since last Wednesday, and all signs point to him not suiting up for the Rangers’ final game before the Olympic break on Thursday against the Canes.

Officially, nothing has been confirmed by the team. Unofficially, the message is pretty clear.

Panarin is at the center of discussions surrounding a major trade, to the point where the Rangers have chosen to keep him out of the lineup to avoid any unnecessary risk. It’s a strange situation for a player of his caliber, who is used to being at the center of the action, not counting the days in the stands.

And that’s where the problem lies.

Not playing for a whole week, in the middle of the season, with the Olympic break fast approaching and rumors piling up… time must be starting to drag for Panarin. Very long.

Every practice becomes a rehearsal with no immediate future, every Rangers game a reminder that he has surely played his last in this uniform.

According to Elliotte Friedman, the situation is looking more and more like a quasi-free agency in disguise, where Panarin has a say in his next destination, especially in relation to a contract extension.

“A few teams have said that it’s a bit like a free agency situation, where essentially Panarin has permission to do so, and he’s talking to teams to find out where he’d like to go and who’s interested in doing so with a contract extension.”