Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Rangers Trade Update Emerges Amid Artemi Panarin Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 7:30 AM ET

The New York Rangers’ struggles continued on Thursday night with a 5–2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden, dropping them to a 20-19-6 record and four off the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The loss marked the Rangers’ 15th home defeat in 20 games at MSG this season, and only added to the pressure facing the front office ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that New York has been aggressively pursuing Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood, already planning a move for the left winger ahead of the deadline.

According to Mercogliano, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury is focused on "netting a top-nine forward" and is expected to submit an offer soon.

The #NYR have been looking to add a top-9 forward, with Kiefer Sherwood a primary target, according to a source. Injuries to Fox & Shesterkin could push them in more of a sell direction, but they want to see how this month plays out first.

Details herehttps://t.co/2s4yUZipfH
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 7, 2026

"[The Rangers] have been pushing hard for Vancouver Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood, a league source said," Mercogliano reported. "The asking price is believed to be a first-round pick and possibly more for the 30-year-old who has netted 17 goals through 42 games and is in the final year of a modest contract that pays him $1.5 million annually."

Sherwood, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, has 17 goals and six assists in 43 games and carries a $1.5 million cap hit.

More pressing for New York's brass and business is Mercogliano's report on Artemi Panarin's situation, another upcoming unrestricted free agent.

Mercogliano revealed that the Rangers’ stalled contract negotiations with forward Artemi Panarin could lead to another major move, as talks with Panarin “never got very far.”

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin skates at Madison Square Garden.Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Per Mercogliano, the Rangers may approach the 34-year-old winger about waiving his no-movement clause to try and trade him before March 6.

“There’s a growing expectation New York will approach Panarin if the season slips further out of reach,” Mercogliano wrote, noting that team owner James Dolan has given Drury the green light to trade veterans if necessary.

Despite some goal-scoring struggles of late and an uncertain future, Panarin is coming off a two-assist game against Buffalo, extending his multipoint streak to four games and reaching 48 points in 44 games this season.

New York (20–19–6) will host the Boston Bruins on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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