The New York Rangers are on the verge of a major organisational overhaul, with team management prepared to move high-profile players in a bid to salvage their struggling season. Reports indicate that president and general manager Chris Drury is actively working the phones to explore the trade market, signalling potential blockbuster moves ahead of the NHL's trade deadline.
Panarin's Contract Status Fuels Trade Speculation
The future of star winger Artemi Panarin with the Rangers is hanging in the balance. Panarin is in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract, which carries an average annual value of $11.64 million. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in July 2026. At 32 years old, this represents a crucial juncture for what could be his last major contract negotiation.
According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the Rangers' front office presented Panarin with a contract extension proposal modelled on Anze Kopitar's recent two-year, $7 million per season deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The offer, which featured a shorter term and a reduced salary cap hit, was reportedly not accepted by the Russian forward, casting further doubt on his long-term stay in New York.
Drury's Impatience and the Impending Shake-Up
Sources close to the situation reveal that GM Chris Drury is not inclined to wait until the March 6 trade deadline to make a move. The upcoming roster freeze during the Olympic Games is seen as a potential window for action, where teams can negotiate, though deals cannot be finalized until the freeze lifts on February 22.
A source told veteran reporter James Murphy, "Drury won’t wait much longer. He was poking around on the trade market, and he’s let it be known, he’s not afraid to move a big name off his roster, too." The source emphasized that any significant trade would likely involve a "roster player for a roster player" move designed to send a strong message to the team's dressing room and catalyse a turnaround.
This aggressive stance is consistent with Drury's history; last year, he executed a major trade for J.T. Miller well before the deadline, indicating a preference for proactive measures.
Wider Roster Implications and Team Challenges
While Panarin is the most prominent name in trade rumours, he is not the only Ranger whose future is under scrutiny. Speculation suggests that forwards like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad could also be part of trade discussions, though nothing has been confirmed officially.
The Rangers' urgency is compounded by on-ice struggles and key injuries. The team is currently operating in full damage control mode following the losses of cornerstone players like goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox. Despite owner James Dolan's public calls for patience, the pressure is mounting for immediate results, and time is rapidly running out for the current roster configuration to prove itself.
The coming weeks, leading into the Olympic break and the trade deadline, will be critical in determining the direction of the New York Rangers franchise, with the potential for a franchise-altering trade looming large.
