BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Rangers Set Asking Price for Panarin, Extension To Be a Big One. The New York Rangers are using the Brock Nelson return as a starting point in Artemi Panarin trade negotiations, per NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. 👇
The New York Rangers have quietly but decisively set the tone for one of the most potentially seismic storylines in the NHL, as trade discussions surrounding Artemi Panarin begin to take shape. According to league chatter, the Rangers are using the recent Brock Nelson return as a benchmark in evaluating Panarin’s value, a signal that any deal involving the star winger would require an enormous haul. While no trade is imminent, the message from Madison Square Garden is unmistakable: Panarin will not be moved unless the return reshapes the franchise’s future.
Panarin, one of the league’s most gifted offensive players, remains under contract and continues to be a central figure in the Rangers’ competitive window. Yet the business side of hockey is relentless, and with salary cap pressures looming and long-term planning at the forefront, the organization is weighing every possibility. The Brock Nelson trade, which yielded a combination of high-end prospects, draft capital, and NHL-ready talent, has become the internal measuring stick. For the Rangers, Panarin’s resume, production, and marketability demand even more.
League insiders suggest New York’s asking price would start with at least two premium assets: a top-six forward or top-pair defenseman under team control, plus significant draft compensation. From there, negotiations would only escalate. Panarin’s consistent point production, playoff experience, and ability to elevate linemates place him firmly in the elite tier, and the Rangers are determined not to undersell a player who has defined their offense for years.
At the same time, the extension conversation looms just as large as the trade rumors. Any team seriously pursuing Panarin would have to be prepared not only to meet the Rangers’ steep price but also to commit to a massive long-term extension. Panarin’s next contract is expected to be among the most lucrative deals for a winger in the modern NHL, reflecting both his on-ice impact and his off-ice value. For New York, this creates a strategic crossroads: double down on a superstar with a blockbuster extension, or leverage his peak value to retool for sustained success.
Inside the Rangers’ front office, there is reportedly no appetite for a rushed decision. Management views Panarin as a franchise cornerstone, not a problem to be solved. However, the reality of the NHL’s hard cap means every major contract ripples through the roster. Younger players approaching paydays, combined with the desire to maintain depth, have forced difficult conversations behind closed doors. The Nelson trade has simply provided a concrete reference point for what elite talent commands in today’s market.
Around the league, rival general managers are paying close attention. Some see the Rangers’ stance as a negotiating tactic, a way to deter lowball offers and reinforce Panarin’s status. Others believe New York is genuinely open to listening, provided a deal accelerates their long-term vision rather than setting it back. Either way, the signal has been sent, and phones are expected to keep ringing as teams assess their own timelines and cap flexibility.
Fans, meanwhile, are split. Many cannot imagine the Rangers without Panarin’s creativity and flair, arguing that true superstars are too rare to move willingly. Others see an opportunity to convert one elite asset into multiple building blocks, especially if the return mirrors or exceeds the Nelson package. Social media debate has intensified, with every rumor dissected and every insider hint scrutinized for hidden meaning.
What makes this situation especially compelling is the dual-track nature of the decision. A trade would represent a bold reshaping of the roster, while an extension would reaffirm the Rangers’ commitment to chasing a Stanley Cup with Panarin at the center of it all. Both paths carry risk, and both demand precision. For now, the organization appears content to let the market come to them, confident that Panarin’s value will only sharpen as the season progresses.
As the NHL landscape continues to shift, the Rangers’ use of the Brock Nelson return as a baseline underscores a broader truth: elite talent has never been more expensive, and franchises are increasingly unwilling to compromise. Whether Panarin remains in New York on a record-setting extension or becomes the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade, one thing is clear. The Rangers are in control of the narrative, and they intend to make any move on their terms.
The coming months promise intrigue, tension, and potentially franchise-defining decisions that could reshape not only the Rangers, but the balance of power across the league.
