Rangers Exploring Anze Kopitar Approach to Artemi Panarin's Future: Report

Friedman said the team has looked at the Los Angeles Kings’ approach with Anze Kopitar as a potential model.

“I understand, at some point in the off-season, the Rangers had that kind of conceptual conversation with Panarin: ‘Is there a way you could do for the Rangers what Kopitar did for the Kings?’” Friedman said. “Obviously, at this point and time, it hasn’t happened. I don’t know where that’s going to go, I don’t know if that’s going to be a possibility, but I do know the two sides had the conversation and, obviously, at this point, Panarin is unsigned.”

Kopitar, nearing the end of an eight-year, $80 million contract, agreed to a two-year, $7 million-per-season extension in 2023 that helped Los Angeles maintain flexibility while keeping its captain in place.

Friedman noted that the Rangers are exploring approaching Panarin with such an idea, seeing a similar path as at least worth discussing with their winger. That said, Friedman didn't report any progress on that front.

In five years with the Rangers, Panarin has produced at a point-per-game pace and remains one of the NHL’s most dangerous playmakers, coming off scoring 89 points in 80 regular-season games last year.

Kopitar, meanwhile, confirmed last week that the 2025-26 season will be his last in the NHL, bringing an end to a two-decade career spent entirely with the Kings.