New York Rangers end rebuild with Artemi Panarin signing

It’s been a long couple years for the New York Rangers, but the wait to start competing is over as the Rangers land Artemi Panarin to end their rebuild.

The New York Rangers have had a busy, busy offseason in order to build towards contention after two seasons of rebuilding, but they have reached their magnum opus with their latest move, landing the prize of this years free agency period.

The New York Rangers have signed 27 year old winger Artemi Panarin to a seven year contract worth 81.5M. The cap hit in each season will come in at 11.642M a season, making him the highest paid winger in the NHL and the second highest paid player in the NHL behind Connor McDavid.

Panarin’s decisions reportedly came down to the Rangers and New York Islanders today, with Columbus making a massive last ditch effort the night before to keep him. Ultimately, Panarin took less money in order to play in a big market New York City, and betting on their new young core being able to make a run at the Stanley Cup in the future.

Panarin was signed as undrafted free agent out of the KHL by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, and won the 2015-16 Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year. Panarin was acquired by the Blue Jackets via trade in 2017, amassing back to back 80+ point seasons with Columbus.

Despite a year-long debacle in Columbus, which it became clear Panarin was not willing to re-sign  with the Blue Jackets, Panarin still enjoyed a career year by scoring 28 goals and 87 points for the Blue Jackets and helping lead them to their first playoff series win in franchise history in a historic sweep over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By signing Panarin, it’s pretty clear the Rangers are ready to start competing for a playoff spot. Obviously they’re not going to start selling off assets and start going all in at the trade deadline, but they are ready to stop selling of players and start pushing for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference.

With two years left on franchise goaltender Henrik Lundqvist’s contract, the Rangers need to capitalize on these last years in order to make another run at getting Lundqvist another chance at a Stanley Cup. Making the playoffs this season should be step one, and making more moves if necessary in order to have a chance at the Stanley Cup next season is likely what the timetable for the Rangers looks like if they are looking at that two year timetable.

Panarin isn’t the only big acquisition made by the Rangers this offseason. Along with drafting potential franchise star Kaapo Kakko second overall in last weeks NHL Draft, the Rangers have also acquired Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba to add to their defense, adressing what has been the Rangers weakest point in the last several seasons.

By signing Panarin, the Rangers still have $8,769,391 left in cap space left to work with to sign restricted free agents like Trouba, Brendan Lemieux, Pavel Buchnevich, and Anthony DeAngelo.