Rangers trade All-Star Artemi Panarin to Kings, ending 7-year New York tenure: report

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The New York Rangers have finally made the move on a trade involving Artemi Panarin.

The Rangers are sending Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional third-round pick and prospect Liam Greentree, according to ESPN.

The writing has been on the wall for a Panarin deal, with the Rangers struggling at 22-28-6 this season and the veteran left-winger having just one year left on his contract. Panarin’s deal carried an $11.642 million average annual value entering the season, and he is set for free agency after the year.

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Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates a Chris Kreider #20 goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

With this trade, the Kings already have an extension in place – a sticking point with Panarin and his team, given their control in this process. ESPN reported an $11 million average annual value over two years. 

Panarin also told the Rangers that Los Angeles was the destination he wanted.

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The Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals were among teams interested in reaching a deal with New York for Panarin.

Panarin, 34, was reportedly looking for a deal close to $50 million, and some teams might not have been willing to get the job done there if it didn’t make sense on their books.

New York Rangers left wing