Rangers Sideline Panarin Indefinitely for Trade

The New York Rangers have sidelined star winger Artemi Panarin indefinitely, starting with Wednesday night's loss to the New York Islanders, as the team pursues a trade ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline. The 34-year-old forward, who holds a full no-move clause, will remain out through the upcoming Olympic break, which begins after a league-wide roster freeze from February 4 to February 22.

Panarin's departure from the Rangers appears imminent following the team's decision to retool after a disappointing season. In mid-January, general manager Chris Drury informed Panarin that no contract extension would be offered, shifting focus to trading him to a destination of his choice. The Rangers, who hold the Eastern Conference's worst record, have already begun their sell-off by sending defenseman Carson Soucy to the Islanders for a 2026 third-round draft pick on Monday. Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent after his seven-year, $81.5 million contract expires this summer, has been a point-per-game producer this season with 19 goals and 38 assists in 52 games.

Central to any potential deal is Panarin's insistence on securing a lucrative extension with his next team before...