Overview

• Elliotte Friedman reported the team and Artemi Panarin discussed a Kopitar-style, team-friendly structure earlier in the offseason.
• Vince Mercogliano says the Rangers are in no rush and would move forward now only if the price comes down.
• Panarin, 33, is unsigned entering the final season of the seven-year deal he signed with New York in 2019.
• The approach reflects positioning for possible 2026 headliners such as Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov.
• Despite a decline from 120 points in 2023-24 to 89 last season, Panarin remains viewed as elite and would draw strong interest if he reaches free agency.