
The Los Angeles Kings have traded for New York Rangers star winger Artemi Panarin.
The trade comes after the Rangers informed Panarin that he would not be getting offered a contract extension.
Perhaps that was the differentiator in the location, as Panarin has also been extended. It is a two-year deal, with an average annual value of $11 million.
The Kings sent a conditional third- and fourth-round pick and right wing prospect Liam Greentree to the Rangers. Greentree was the Kings’ 26th overall pick in 2024 and is currently playing with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He has put up 45 points in 34 games this season with the Spitfire.
Trade details:
To #GoKingsGo:
Artemi Panarin (50% retained)To #NYR:
Liam Greentree
Cond. 2026 3rd Rd Pick
Cond. 2028 4th Rd PickPanarin camp only presented LA as option. Panarin is expected to complete contract extension shortly with Kings, they had substantive talks leading…
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 4, 2026
Panarin signed with the Rangers in 2019, and he quickly became the best Rangers’ free-agent signing ever. In six full seasons with New York, Panarin did not fall below the 90-point threshold, breaking personal records.
Panarin’s best season came in 2023-24, where he put up 120 points in 82 games. New York also won the President’s Trophy that season. So far this year, Panarin has 57 points in 52 games, proving that he is still elite at 34 years old.
Artemi Panarin.
Fastest player in franchise history to record 500 points (384 GP) as a New York Ranger. pic.twitter.com/zwUBzGGiYc
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 31, 2024
Statistics wise, Panarin has been outstanding in the past four to five years, and he passes the eye test too. He’s a skilled skater, stick-handler and will drive the offense. The Russian star can be an elite passer and setup man, but he is also a great finisher as well with his quick and accurate shot.
It remains to be seen if Panarin will sign with the team long-term, but if he does, the Kings will be getting a great player for the rest of his career.
Panarin extends with LA:
2 x $11M AAV
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 4, 2026
This deal will go down as the biggest trade of this year’s deadline, as the New York Rangers begin to rebuild once again, and the Kings will look to compete for postseasons in the years to come.
Coniditions on the 3rd-round pick heading to #NYR in the Artemi Panarin trade:
If the #LAKings win a playoff round this year, it becomes a 2nd-rounder
If the #LAKings win two playoff rounds this year, they also receive a 2028 4th-round pick
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 4, 2026
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