The NHL trade market just exploded! Discover why the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin is the ultimate “all-in” move for Los Angeles and what it means for the upcoming playoffs.
The NHL landscape shifted under our feet on Wednesday with a move that feels like a Hollywood blockbuster. In a massive pre-Olympic roster freeze shakeup, the Los Angeles Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin, signaling to the rest of the league that they are done with early playoff exits and ready for a deep run.
Transaction Breakdown: The Panarin Trade
| Feature | Details |
| Players Involved | Artemi Panarin (to LAK) for Liam Greentree (to NYR) |
| Draft Capital | 2026 Cond. 3rd Rounder, 2028 Cond. 4th Rounder |
| Contract Extension | 2 Years, $11,000,000 AAV (through 2027-28) |
| Salary Retention | Rangers retain 50% ($5.8M cap hit for LAK this year) |
| Primary Goal | L.A. going all-in for Anze Kopitar’s final season |
A New Superstar in the City of Angels
For a team that has struggled to get past the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for four consecutive years, the news that the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin is a total game-changer. Panarin isn’t just a goal scorer; he is an elite offensive engine that makes everyone around him better.
General Manager Ken Holland was clear about his intentions: he has no interest in a long-term rebuild. By acquiring the “Breadman,” the Kings are injecting elite hockey sense and world-class production into a lineup that has often been accused of being “defense-first” to a fault. This move isn’t just a rental; it’s a commitment to the team’s immediate future.
The Financial Mastery of the Deal
The logistics of the trade are as impressive as the player himself. Because the Rangers are entering a retooling phase, they agreed to retain 50% of Panarin’s salary. This means the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin comes with a manageable $5.8 million cap hit for the remainder of this season.
Furthermore, the Kings didn’t stop at the trade. They immediately locked Panarin down with a two-year extension worth $11 million per year. This ensures that the star winger remains the focal point of the offense through 2028, providing stability as the team transitions into its next era.
Why Panarin Chose Los Angeles
While teams like Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Washington were all reportedly circling the star winger, the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin happened because L.A. was his preferred destination. Panarin held all the cards thanks to his no-movement clause, and he made it clear that he wanted to help Anze Kopitar go out as a winner.
Since Russia is currently banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics, Panarin won’t be traveling to Milan. Instead, he will use the roster freeze and the Olympic break to acclimate to Southern California, learn the Kings’ system, and find chemistry with his new teammates before games resume on February 25.
The Cost of Greatness: Liam Greentree
Of course, you don’t get a player of Panarin’s caliber for nothing. To make the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin a reality, Los Angeles had to part with Liam Greentree, widely considered the top prospect in their organization. Greentree, a power forward taken in the first round of 2024, represents the “future” that the Kings are sacrificing to win in the “now.”
The trade also includes conditional picks. If the Kings win a playoff round this year, the third-round pick becomes a second-rounder. If they win two rounds, the Rangers get an additional fourth-rounder in 2028. It’s a steep price, but for a franchise tired of being “almost good enough,” it’s a price worth paying.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Kings have officially put the league on notice. As the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin settles into the history books, the pressure moves from the front office to the ice. With an elite scorer added to their defensive structure, the Kings are no longer just a playoff team—they are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is Artemi Panarin’s new contract with the Kings?
As part of the move, Panarin signed a two-year extension that keeps him in Los Angeles through the 2027-28 season.
2. Why did the Rangers trade their leading scorer?
The Rangers are entering a “retool” phase and chose to facilitate the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin after telling him they would not extend his contract this summer.
3. Will Panarin play in the 2026 Olympics?
No. Since Russia is currently banned from IIHF international play, Panarin will stay in Los Angeles to train with the Kings during the Olympic break.
4. What did the Kings give up to get Panarin?
L.A. traded prospect Liam Greentree, a conditional 2026 third-round pick, and a conditional 2028 fourth-round pick to New York.
5. When will Artemi Panarin make his Kings debut?
Following the Olympic break and roster freeze, NHL games resume on February 25, which is when the results of the Kings trade for Rangers’ Artemi Panarin will first be seen on the ice.
