David Pagnotta Names the Key to Artemi Panarin Staying with the Rangers

Panarin's Future with Rangers Hinges on Team Success, His Willingness to Stay

According to Pagnotta, Panarin's future will depend on the Blueshirts' performance this year.

If the team places itself in the wildcard bubble and there are no clear signs that the player wants to stay, the front office would seriously consider the option of trading him before he leaves as a free agent in July.

"I think with Panarin, pending unrestricted free agent, there’s an opportunity for him to be potentially at the top of the UFA class like he was when he first signed with the Rangers," Pagnotta said.

"I think a lot of it is dependent on how their season goes. If they’re a bubble team and bubble by wildcard standards, then I think they take a serious look if they don’t have an indication that he’s willing to stay there, or at least sign an extension," he added.

"I think if they’re kind of hovering, that they’re going to be, or worse, then they would take a serious look at moving him, if he’s not willing to commit there."

Pagnotta pointed out that the Rangers are aware of the opportunity they would have to reinforce their roster if Panarin does not commit to staying.

"And they may want to go in a totally different direction as well, if things don’t work out, and it’s not working out with him. Well, you may want to rejig your roster a little bit and collect assets by moving him, because there would be, again, with teams with extra cap space and more wiggle room there’s going to be a little bit more of a game plan into, or, excuse me, of a market for him," he concluded.