The New York Rangers are one of the teams facing the most pressure in hockey heading into 2025-26.
Last year was beyond disappointing, and it led to change on and off the ice, including several longtime core pieces of the team getting moved out of town.
What remains the same is the star power atop the lineup with Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, and Adam Fox, while superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin holds things down behind them.
Much of that core is locked in with the Rangers for the long term, though one of them can’t say the same, heading into an all-important contract year. Artemi Panarin has quickly come up on his seventh season as a Blueshirt, and his future in New York is now in question.
As the team returned for training camp on Wednesday, general manager Chris Drury spoke about his superstar winger and was asked about their interest in extending him. Beat reporter Vince Z. Mercogliano shared his comments on X (formerly Twitter).
“He’s a huge piece of our team and our organization. He does not appear to me to be slowing down. He takes the offseason serious. He looks like he’s in great shape and ready to go. As far as the contract stuff, I’ve also said on record, and as you know, I don’t get into negotiations publicly. Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private between me and him,” Drury said.
On Artemi Panarin entering the final year of his contract and whether #NYR are hoping to re-sign him soon, Drury had this to say:
“He’s a huge piece of our team and our organization. He does not appear to me to be slowing down. He takes the offseason serious. He looks like he’s…
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 17, 2025
As mentioned, the 33-year-old is about to enter the final season of the seven-year, $81,499,999 contract he signed to come to New York as a UFA in 2019.
The Kaprizov factor
How the New York Rangers fare in 2025-26 will play a huge factor in whether Artemi Panarin is extended or not; however, there is much more to consider.
One way or another, the Rangers are going to have interest in superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov if and when he becomes available, and that feeling is likely to be mutual.
While a lot of that is because of the city, the organization’s willingness to spend, and the fact that they’re always attempting to compete, the presence of his good friend Panarin can’t be understated.
If Panarin stays, their chances of landing Kaprizov could increase. But if they let him walk, that frees up even more cap space to lure the 28-year-old out of Minnesota. It should be fascinating to see how it all plays out this season.
