The New York Rangers have traded star forward Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in a surprising pre-Olympic move. The trade, finalized just before the NHL's 3 p.m. Olympic roster freeze on Wednesday, marks a significant shift for both teams.
Panarin, known as 'The Breadman' for his bread-like stickhandling skills, had been a cornerstone of the Rangers' success over the past seven seasons. He was held out of the previous three games to protect against injury, but his impact on the team cannot be overstated. With 607 points (205 goals and 402 assists) in 482 games, Panarin's 1.26 points per game average is the best in franchise history.
In exchange, the Rangers received Liam Greentree, a promising young forward drafted 26th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a conditional pick. The conditional pick could become a second-rounder if the Kings win a playoff series, and a fourth-rounder if they win a second series.
The trade was a result of the Rangers' decision to retool their roster after informing Panarin on January 16 that they would not be extending his contract. Panarin, who had been a key player in the team's success, waived his no-move clause to join the Kings, who were the only team he wanted to go to.
Despite the trade, Panarin's legacy with the Rangers remains strong. His performance in New York has solidified his place as one of the greatest free-agent signings in franchise history. The Kings, meanwhile, gain a top-tier player who will undoubtedly be a key contributor to their playoff aspirations.
