Rangers Will Not Offer Contract Extension to Artemi Panarin
The Rangers have officially informed Artemi Panarin he won’t be offered an extension, clearing the way for one of the biggest names on the 2026 trade market as the sell-off begins.
Just about an hour after the New York Rangers released the second Letter in the last eight years, we also received an update on Artemi Panarin's future with the team. According to multiple sources, it has been confirmed that Panarin will not be offered a contract extension by the organization. Panarin initially signed seven-year, $81.5 million deal as a free agent with the Rangers in 2019.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post further confirmed this report:
#NYR GM Chris Drury told Artemi Panarin today he won't be offered a contract extension, The Post has learned.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) January 16, 2026
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period also confirmed this and indicated that the Minnesota Wild have shown interest in the 34-year old winger.
Note on #NYR before I hop on a flight: In light of today’s letter to fans, expectation is Artemi Panarin will be moved ahead of the trade deadline. Teams have been inquiring about others, including Vincent Trocheck. As I mentioned today on @thesheethockey, #mnwild has checked in.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 16, 2026
As we learned from The Letter 2, Chris Drury will be a major seller at the 2026 trade deadline which can include some key components of this current Rangers team. We now know that Panarin is likely going to be one of those big changes, but according to Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic Panarin was not the only player with trade protection that was approached about their part in the Rangers plans for the future.
Other players with no-movement clauses were asked how they feel about the "retool" plan and whether they'd be open to sticking around for it or would rather go elsewhere. Dialogue has begun for any who may be willing to waive, according to two sources. #NYR https://t.co/MDG6SreXXI
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 16, 2026
Although, it does appear that the majority of them will remain committed to the New York Rangers through this next chapter.
For now, the non-Panarin guys with NMCs -- Fox, Gavrikov, Miller, Shesterkin and Zibanejad -- sound like they're on board and expressed that they want to be here, according to a source. #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 16, 2026
In 47 games played this season, Panarin has collected a total of 51 points spread across 16 goals and 35 assists. He is 45th on the all time list for games played as a Ranger, 14th in goals, eighth in assists, and ninth in points. Just one game shy of 800 career NHL games, Panarin has a total of 921 points (318 goals and 603 assists) and will surely be one of the most coveted players available at this years trade deadline.
Panarin, however, will have full control of his fate, as he will need to approve any potential trade as a result of his full no-movement clause. This will surely limit the Rangers leverage in potential negotiations, but a multi-time NHL All Star will surely still bring the Rangers a healthy return to help them in their re-tool.
Chip has speculated what some potential returns and landing spots could be for Panarin in his latest piece that went up earlier this morning.
