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Artemi Panarin’s Trade Condition and 'Magic Number' Complicating Matters

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 12:52 PM ET

The New York Rangers may be headed toward a blockbuster Artemi Panarin trade, but there’s a significant complication that could reshape the entire narrative around his being moved. Frankly, teams are going to back away because of one key condition that he’s reportedly adamant about.

Panarin is on an expiring contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Normally, that would make him a classic deadline rental option for contenders looking to load up for a playoff run.

But according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Panarin isn’t interested in being a short-term addition for one team only to hit free agency a few months later and have to relocate all over again.

Panarin Only Wants To Move One Time

Simply put: Panarin only wants to move once.

“The agent is driving a lot of this bus,” Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “It’s been made pretty clear that he wants this to happen with an extension… he doesn’t wanna go twice, he only wants to go once.”

That condition could change everything.

Any team trading for Panarin won’t just be acquiring an elite scorer — they’ll also need to come prepared with a long-term contract extension already in place. This isn’t a rental. It’s a commitment.

And it won’t come cheap.

Friedman noted that Panarin is still aiming for a massive payday despite being 34 years old.

“He’s gonna try to hit a contract home run,” Friedman said. “The number I was hearing… was $50 million.”

That’s a steep price tag, and it immediately narrows the field. Friedman mentioned teams like Dallas and Colorado may have interest, but the financial side makes an extension difficult. “Colorado, interest I believe, can’t do it as an extension,” Friedman confirmed.

Other clubs could be more realistic fits if they’re willing to meet Panarin’s demands. Friedman floated several possibilities, including the Los Angeles Kings, the Seattle Kraken, the Washington Capitals, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Detroit Red Wings.

In the end, Panarin’s stance makes this less about a trade-deadline gamble and more about a decision that will shape a franchise over the next several seasons.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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