Can the New York Rangers get an Artemi Panarin trade done by 3:00 PM?
TSN: Chris Johnston on Early Trading on the latest involving Artemi Panarin and the New York Rangers, just hours before the Olympic trade freeze.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Glenn Schiiler: “Here’s our hockey insider, Chris Johnston, just mere hours away from the NHL Olympic roster freeze. Chris, a lot of attention remains on the New York Rangers, specifically, their top trade target Artemi Panarin. What’s the latest on him, potentially being moved before 3 pm today?”
Johnston: “What I can tell you is that attention is warranted. There is a real push and desire from both sides, Panarin side and the Rangers, to try to see this through to a conclusion prior to that 3 pm eastern deadline kicking in on Wednesday.
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And there’s lots of reasons for that. I mean, someone with close to these talks pointed out to me on this morning, that you know, Artemi Panarin, not only has he not played for the Rangers for the last week as they started to work through this, he hasn’t been practicing with the team either. He’s been skating on his own. And so in the event that something doesn’t happen, it’s a long way for him until February 23rd, when trades can resume on the other side of the Olympics.
So I think that that’s something to consider, but it’s also a complicated transaction. Artemi Panarin’s desire remains to sign a contract extension as part of a trade. He’s got a no-movement clause, so really, he and his agent are driving the bus on these discussions. And there’s been a lot of teams involved here.
The Washington Capitals have put forward a big offer for Panarin. The Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, they both have shown interest to some degree. There’s a lot of attention on the perennial buyers, the Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars. And I think the contract is a little more complicated for teams in that pool.
I’ve even heard a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs has at least kicked some tires on Panarin. And no doubt the list is longer than that, as perhaps there’s a surprise waiting out there.
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So a lot has to come together now in the last few hours, but I can tell you that between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, those talks do continue, and there is hope that they can find a resolution before the trade freeze kicks in.”
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