Elliotte Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada that the Rangers are looking for the same kind of price for Artemi Panarin that Colorado paid last season for Brock Nelson from the Islanders.
Top prospect Cal Ritchie, a first round pick in 2026 and a conditional third round pick were the core pieces that went to the Islanders.
Friedman added, “It sounds like that is where the Rangers starting point is with Panarin right now. Part of this is also will he be willing to sign an extension, are there places, he has a no-move clause so he controls where he goes, but I think some of the teams are wondering could there be an extension as part of this. I think some of the teams that are looking around, Anaheim, there is a history with Joel Quenneville, LA has some decisions to make about their overall situation and where they are right now and where they truly are as a franchise and what an extension would look like. I think Washington with an extension and I think there are a bunch of other teams and I’m always conceding that I’m missing teams that are in on this but I think that is kind of where the market starts, the trade talks start and what Panarin is willing to do.”
Nelson was also a pending free agent.
Adam Rotter: That would certainly be an ideal price for Panarin and it’s not too far off from what Florida paid Philly for Claude Giroux. It’s essentially a package built around a former first round pick and a first this year or in the future. But it all depends on where he’s willing to go. Anaheim has those assets, though it’s hard to see them giving up any of their rcent high first round picks, LA not as many. Washington could match up but it wold be hard to see Panarin 3-4 times per season and possibly in the playoffs. But those seem like some of the teams with interest in Panarin but we don’t yet know if Panarin has interest in them.
If this is the price for Panarin then I’m guessing that the price for Vincent Trocheck is considerably higher. While Panarin is certainly the better offensive player, Trocheck is a guy that helps you win in the playoffs. I thought the Nelson deal would be the bare minimum for Trocheck and since Trocheck is under contract and not a player the Rangers have to move, Drury can hold a high price, see if it’s met and if not, try again in the offseason.