Los Angeles Kings Land Artemi Panarin in Blockbuster Trade

In a stunning move ahead of the NHL's Olympic roster freeze at 3 PM today, the Los Angeles Kings have acquired star winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers. The trade sees Panarin heading west in exchange for prospect winger Liam Greentree, a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. As part of the deal, the Rangers will retain 50% of Panarin's $11.6 million cap hit through the 2025-26 season.

Panarin, 34, was in the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the Rangers. With the Rangers mired in a disappointing season, General Manager Chris Drury had previously announced a retooling strategy, making Panarin an obvious trade candidate.

The Russian winger also held a full no-trade clause, giving him control over his destination. According to reports, Panarin had expressed a desire to play specifically for Los Angeles. Shortly after the trade, reports surfaced indicating that Panarin and the Kings are nearing a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $11 million.

Throughout his nearly seven-year tenure with the Rangers, Panarin consistently led the team in scoring. He has a career total of 321 goals and 927 points in 804 regular season games.

The Kings' acquisition of Panarin addresses a need for offensive firepower as they gear up for a playoff push. The addition of a player of Panarin's caliber signals the Kings' commitment to competing at the highest level.

The Rangers receive Liam Greentree, a 20-year-old forward prospect. The conditional draft picks add further assets for the Rangers as they continue their retooling process. The third-round pick in 2026 could become a second-rounder if the Kings win a playoff round, and the Rangers will also receive a 2028 fourth-round pick if the Kings reach the Western Conference Final.

This trade marks a significant moment for both franchises. The Kings gain a top-tier offensive talent in Artemi Panarin, while the Rangers acquire valuable assets to build for the future. The move also underscores the Kings' ambition to contend for the Stanley Cup in the immediate future.