The New York Rangers have one game left prior to the Olympic break, on Thursday against Carolina. New York is limping into the stoppage on a three-game losing streak, continuing what has been a brutal season. This stretch mirrors how long Artemi Panarin has sat as New York has scratched the Bread Man to avoid injury as they attempt to trade him.
In the prior sentence, the key word is “attempt.” Panarin holds all the cards, as he possesses a no-movement clause and therefore, can elect not to go where GM Chris Drury finds a partner. One prominent unconfirmed rumor going around X is that Drury had a deal worked out with Seattle, with the Rangers getting Shane Wright and picks. We won’t debate if Wright is a worthwhile acquisition, since a sof now, Panarin has no desire to go to Seattle, thereby scuttling the proposed trade.
If you need a reminder, the trade freeze goes into effecton Wednesday, February 4 at 3 pm. That means the clock is ticking. If no deal is reached, then nothing can be done until after 11:59 pm, February 22. Deals can be discussed, but nothing consummated until after that date. Panarin is set to miss his fourth game on Thursday, and if not dealt, he will be in limbo for another 18 days, meaning nearly a month would have passed from when he was shut down.
Negotiations in this case are complex. A no-movement clause is the backdrop to any discussions since Panarin will dictate where he wants to go. Add in Panarin’s desire for an extension, rumored to be in the $50 mil range, impacting those who might have interest, along with the possibility/probability, New York retains salary, and you have a confluence of factors. All that said, Drury pulling the plug on any extension publicly hamstrung any possible leverage the GM and team might have had. If you are going to send out the letter and make that comment, then a deal should either be in place or on the verge of completion.
Elliotte Friedman was on NHL Tonight discussing Barry Trotz’s decision to step down as Nashville GM. As part of that piece, Freidman provided the latest on Panarin. His top choice is Florida. Given Florida’s lack of a first round pick or prospect that thrills me, unless Anton Lundell is part of that trade, color me not interested. But if Panarin forces his way to the Panthers, Drury may end up taking a lower return than he should. Friedman hints at Washington and Los Angeles being the front-runners. I would prefer to see Panarin on the other coast so he doesn’t repeatedly torture the Blueshirts. Could Liam Greentree, Alex Laferriere and a first rounder be the return? What about Andrew Cristall, Ethan Frank and a pick as the package?
The clock is ticking. Pressure is on Drury. A move needs to be made shortly.
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