It is common knowledge at this stage that the Carolina Hurricanes, much like the Vegas Golden Knights, will be attached to every major free agent and trade candidate, so long as Eric Tulsky is the General Manager. Think of any big names on the market for the last few years, and the Hurricanes aren't very far behind.
With the 2025-26 season in its infancy, there is no shortage of rumors swirling around the mill for some of the early underachievers. Nazem Kadri is a big one right now, and for good reason. He's a veteran center leading a struggling Calgary team with time remaining on a deal. Many contenders in the league will be frothing at the mouth to snatch him if he becomes available.
A more intriguing name, for the purposes of this piece at least, is a central part of division rival for the Hurricanes. That, of course, is Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers. The pending UFA has already turned down a team-friendly offer this summer, and there doesn't appear to be anything imminent, leading to speculation about what the future holds for the soon-to-be 34-year-old.
Insider Frank Seravalli stoked the fires on Tuesday with his comments linking Panarin to the Hurricanes, with the winger being a potential fit as the team tries to stay aggressive. His use of the word "fit" feels very loose, citing the team's abundance of Russian players, but it would also make sense for a contender to want to add a bona fide producer to their ranks.
Panarin's numbers don't lie
In his 11th NHL season, Artemi Panarin has been a scorer no matter where he plays. He began his career in Chicago, playing two seasons with the Blackhawks and winning the Calder Trophy in 2016. He was traded to Columbus, where he played two more seasons and helped orchestrate the Blue Jackets' incredible opening-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.
Since signing in New York, Panarin has led the Rangers in scoring each of the last six years. He was a finalist for the Hart Trophy in 2020 after 95 points in 69 games before the pandemic shut down the world. He set his career mark of 120 points in 2023-24, finishing 5th in Hart voting. He's also been very reliable in the playoffs, especially in 2022 and 2024, when New York eliminated Carolina.
Panarin feels well on his way to eclipsing 1,000 points over the next few seasons, though, like his team, he's off to a slow start this year. His seven points in 11 games are second to Adam Fox for the Rangers' lead. Still, he's an incredible puck-mover, putting his teammates in great spots at 5-on-5 and on the power play, the latter of which the Canes desperately need this season.
Is a trade for Panarin feasible?
Shortly before the season began, I pondered the idea of the Hurricanes adding Artemi Panarin, though I felt it was more likely something they would heavily pursue if he made it to free agency. I didn't think it would be a viable option to consider during the season, largely because I expected to see the Rangers bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Alas, we're just three weeks into the new year, and we're discussing whether Panarin will be traded during the season after another slow start by the Rangers. Without a new contract in sight, assuming the Rangers don't turn this thing around, it might be time for them to heavily consider moving him, and the Hurricanes should be right in the mix.
While I do believe Panarin could fit into the Canes' system, the real concerns would be whether Panarin is viewed as a rental or as someone the Canes would like to extend. That would ultimately affect the package that they'd be willing to offer. The price to acquire him would be steep either way, but it would look much different for a long-term commitment versus a short-term one.
A trade would also require Panarin to waive the No Movement Clause in his current deal, preventing the Rangers would blindsiding him with a move. It feels like Panarin has all of the leverage in these negotiations, which paints General Manager Chris Drury into a tough spot. By all means, Panarin could force his hand to trade him out of fear that Drury will lose him for nothing this summer.
While we've seen the Rangers and the Hurricanes link for trades in the past, this feels like a completely different issue. I would label this as unlikely to happen, even if insiders think the Canes are a good spot for him. It doesn't feel like a feasible trade option and could be something they're more likely to pursue this summer, assuming he doesn't extend with New York mid-season.