The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move ahead of the NHL Olympic roster freeze, acquiring star left winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers. In exchange, the Rangers received forward prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Kings have also signed Panarin to a two-year contract extension worth $22 million, with an average annual value of $11 million.
This trade signifies a bold step by the Kings to inject offense and excitement into their lineup. Despite consistently contending for a playoff spot, the Kings have struggled with scoring this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals. The addition of Panarin, a proven scorer with a history of elite offensive production, is expected to address this need and elevate the Kings' Stanley Cup aspirations.
Panarin, 34, is in the final year of a seven-year, $81.5 million contract he signed with the Rangers in 2019. During his tenure in New York, he has been one of the NHL's top scorers, amassing 205 goals and 402 assists for 607 points. Only five players have recorded more points than Panarin over the past seven seasons. This season, Panarin has 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 52 games.
The acquisition of Panarin comes at a price for the Kings. They traded away Liam Greentree, a first-round pick from the 2024 NHL Draft. The conditional third-round pick could become a second-round pick if the Kings win one playoff round this season, and a fourth-round pick in 2028 if they win two playoff rounds.
For the Rangers, this trade marks a move towards retooling their roster. With the team sitting last in the Eastern Conference, General Manager Chris Drury had signaled a desire to acquire young players, draft picks, and cap space. Trading Panarin, who had a full no-movement clause and controlled his destination, aligns with this strategy. The Rangers are retaining 50% of Panarin's contract for the remainder of the season.
The Kings' Stanley Cup odds were already at +2000. It remains to be seen how the acquisition of Panarin will affect these odds. Some analysts believe Panarin doesn't immediately make the Kings a Stanley Cup contender but should help them reach the postseason.
With Panarin in the fold, the Kings are aiming to make a deep playoff run and compete for their first Stanley Cup since 2014. The addition of his offensive firepower could be the catalyst the team needs to achieve its championship aspirations.