Artemi Panarin was absent from the New York Rangers’ lineup during their 5-2 defeat to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Wednesday, a decision made for roster management reasons. The star forward is not anticipated to participate in the Rangers’ last three games before the roster freeze for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina 2026, which commences on February 4. The Rangers will engage the Islanders again at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, followed by a matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and a final game before the Olympic break against the Carolina Hurricanes on February 5.
This season, Panarin is concluding a seven-year, $81.5 million contract that features a full no-movement clause, with the prospect of becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged Panarin’s impact on the team, recognizing him as “one of the best Rangers of his generation.” Sullivan noted that while Panarin is a difficult player to replace, the team must maintain focus and intentions as they move forward.
Earlier this month, Rangers general manager Chris Drury informed Panarin that the team has no plans to extend his contract, indicating a willingness to assist him in finding a new team before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6. This recent decision to keep Panarin off the ice suggests a strategic move, either to facilitate a trade or to avoid injury.
Panarin commented on the team’s direction, stating his agreement with the changes underway, which aligns with Drury’s recent announcement about retooling the roster. The Rangers currently hold the last position in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-26-6, having struggled recently with a 3-10-2 record over their last 15 games. Despite these challenges, Panarin leads the team with 57 points, including 19 goals and 38 assists, a consistent performance that has made him the top scorer in every season since he joined the Rangers in 2019-20.
In context, Panarin has recorded 607 points over 482 games with the Rangers, ranking him 14th in goals, eighth in assists, and ninth in overall points in franchise history. Furthermore, his point-per-game average of 1.26 is the highest in the club’s history.
This shift in strategy aligns with Drury’s recent statements about evaluating the team’s standing and injuries to key players. He emphasized the importance of being realistic about the team’s trajectory while outlining a plan for a retool rather than a full rebuild, indicating optimism for a revamped roster moving forward.
Additionally, the Rangers made a significant trade recently, sending defenseman Carson Soucy to the Islanders. Soucy, who is also in the final season of his contract, made his debut with the Islanders against the Rangers, illustrating the team’s active adjustments amidst a challenging season. Clearly, the Rangers remain focused on recalibrating their roster while acknowledging the contributions of high-profile players like Panarin, as they navigate this transition.