Artemi Panarin Joins Los Angeles Kings in Blockbuster NHL Trade
In a major move that has sent shockwaves through the National Hockey League, star forward Artemi Panarin has been traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings. The transaction, finalized on Wednesday, includes Panarin signing a substantial two-year contract extension worth $22 million, as officially reported by the NHL.
Details of the High-Profile Trade Agreement
This trade marks a pivotal moment in the Rangers' ongoing roster reconstruction. In exchange for Panarin, New York has acquired promising forward prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The conditions are particularly noteworthy: if the Kings win one playoff round this season, the pick upgrades to a second-round selection. Should Los Angeles secure two playoff round victories, the Rangers will also receive an additional fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
To facilitate this move, Panarin, who is in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract with an average annual value of $11.64 million, agreed to waive his full no-movement clause. Additionally, the Rangers have committed to retaining 50 percent of his remaining salary for this season, easing the financial burden for Los Angeles.
Kings' Aggressive Pursuit and GM's Statement
The acquisition culminates an intense bidding war, with reports indicating that 14 NHL teams expressed interest in Panarin. These included franchises like Anaheim, San Jose, Vegas, Dallas, Colorado, Toronto, Carolina, and the New York Islanders. Ultimately, the Kings emerged victorious in securing the elite forward.
Los Angeles Kings General Manager Ken Holland expressed his enthusiasm about the trade in an interview with NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "Obviously, we made the deal today to make our team better," Holland stated. "We signed him to a two-year extension. We weren’t going to do it as a rental. He didn’t want to go anywhere as a rental. He wanted to find a home, so we’re thrilled that he wanted to waive the no-trade clause to come to LA."
Holland further elaborated on the long-term vision, adding, "We’re happy that we were able to get him to a two-year extension, and after two years, I’m hoping that we’re working on another extension, but I’ll worry about that down the road. I think it was just a matter of these types of players with this resume are very, very difficult to find, and we had an opportunity to add one today."
Immediate Impact and Player Availability
The trade comes on the heels of the Rangers' decision to scratch Panarin during a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena the previous week, signaling the impending roster changes. For the Kings, Panarin will not be available for their upcoming game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, which serves as their final match before the break for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
However, fans can expect to see Panarin join the team at their next scheduled practice on February 18, 2026, as he integrates into the Kings' lineup. This strategic acquisition underscores Los Angeles' commitment to bolstering their offensive firepower as they aim for a deep playoff run, while the Rangers continue their significant roster shake-up with an eye toward future prospects and draft capital.
