The LA Kings have made a significant move by acquiring forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers. In exchange, the Kings are giving up forward Liam Greentree, a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. The Rangers will retain 50% of Panarin's contract for the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Panarin has signed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $11,000,000, running through the 2027-28 season.
Panarin, a 34-year-old veteran, has had an impressive career in the NHL. This season, he has played 52 games for the Rangers, accumulating 19 goals and 38 assists. This marks his 11th consecutive 50-point campaign, with 17 of those goals coming at even-strength, three as game-winners, and two on the power play. His 38 assists, 57 points, and 158 shots lead all Rangers skaters. Panarin's performance has been consistent, as he recorded 37 goals and 52 assists for 89 points in the 2024-25 season, marking his fifth 80-point season with the team and seventh in his career.
An NHL All-Star in 2023, Panarin brings a wealth of experience to the Kings. He has played in 804 regular-season NHL games across 11 seasons with the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Chicago Blackhawks. Panarin has an impressive scoring record, with 321 goals and 606 assists, totaling 927 points. He has 77 power-play goals, 50 game-winners, and 10 overtime goals, with a remarkable 1.15 points-per-game average and a +131 cumulative rating. Panarin is one of the top active skaters with a point-per-game average over 1.00, ranking fifth among that group, and is the only active undrafted skater with at least 300 goals.
Panarin's impact extends to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he has added 21 goals and 61 points in 73 career playoff games. Since joining the Rangers in the 2019-20 season, Panarin has dominated, leading all Rangers skaters with 205 goals, 402 assists, and 607 points. He has 158 even-strength goals, 404 even-strength points, and 202 power-play points, ranking second in overtime goals and shots. Panarin's even-strength and power-play time-on-ice per game are the highest on the team, and he has the second-most takeaways and penalties drawn among forwards.
Panarin's NHL career began with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015-16 season, where he led all rookie players in goals (30), assists (47), points (77), even-strength goals (22), and game-winning goals (7) in 80 games. He earned the Calder Memorial Trophy and NHL All-Rookie Team honors. Panarin's best NHL season came in 2023-24, where he was one of four skaters to surpass the 120-point mark, setting career-highs in goals (37), assists (52), and points (120), leading the Rangers to their fourth President's Trophy.
Internationally, Panarin has represented Russia in five tournaments, including three IIHF Men's World Championships (2017 - bronze, 2016 - bronze, 2015 - silver), one IIHF Men's World Junior Championship (2011 - gold), and one World Cup of Hockey (2017). His best performance came in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he recorded 13 assists and 17 points in nine games, earning the All-Star Team and 'Best Forward' honors.
