Overview
- GM Chris Drury issued a public letter declaring a retool rather than a rebuild and indicated the team will be active ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Artemi Panarin was informed he will not receive an extension and that the club will work with him on a trade if he approves.
- Panarin, 34, is a pending UFA with a full no‑move clause and a $11.64 million cap hit, giving him control over any potential move.
- Sources say Drury met individually with leaders and addressed the team before the announcement, with New York last in the East and missing Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox to injuries.
- Reports cite potential Panarin suitors including Detroit, Dallas, Colorado and Florida, and name other possible trade chips such as Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, Carson Soucy and Braden Schneider.