The New York Rangers' announcement of a "retool" has placed Artemi Panarin, their star winger, squarely in the trade spotlight ahead of the NHL's trade deadline. With his full no-movement clause, Panarin holds considerable sway over his destination, limiting potential suitors to teams he approves.

General Manager Chris Drury informed Panarin that he would not be offered a contract extension, signaling a clear intention to move the player. Drury has expressed willingness to work with Panarin and his agent to facilitate a trade to a team of Panarin's choosing.

Several teams are rumored to be potential landing spots for Panarin, with a recent compilation omitting the Edmonton Oilers from the list of likely destinations. The Oilers' potential interest stemmed from General Manager Stan Bowman's history with Panarin, as Bowman brought him to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. However, convincing Panarin to waive his no-movement clause for Edmonton, especially considering warmer U.S. markets, is seen as a challenge.

Despite the appeal of pairing Panarin with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers have more pressing needs to address before the trade deadline, mainly on defense. Edmonton's already potent offense, particularly its league-leading power play, makes acquiring another high-end offensive talent like Panarin less of a priority.

Panarin himself has expressed confusion regarding the Rangers' decision. Despite the uncertainty, he has pledged to play every game with full commitment. In 48 games this season, Panarin has tallied 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists).

Other teams believed to be in the mix for Panarin include Colorado, Washington, Florida, Dallas, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Vegas, and the New York Islanders. As the trade deadline approaches, Panarin's future remains a key storyline.