Rangers LW Artemi Panarin focuses on season, not free agency

Entering the final year of his seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the New York Rangers, Artemi Panarin doesn't want to publicly discuss his contract situation.

The 33-year-old left winger is focused on the season ahead, not what his future holds and whether he'll remain in New York or not in the future.

"That's obviously good for everyone to feel that security, but I'm not in my first year in hockey so I'm used to being in those situations, not every year but it is what it is right now," Panarin said on Thursday as the Rangers held their first on-ice practice of training camp. "I'm not complaining right now. I'm ready to work hard."

Since signing with the Rangers ahead of the 2019-20 season, Panarin ranks fourth in the NHL in points (550 on 186 goals, 364 assists) across his 430 games. He's led the team in scoring each of the first six years of his contract and has 119 more points than any other Ranger over that span.

During the 2023-24 season, Panarin notched a career-high 49 goals and 120 points, leading the Rangers to their second Eastern Conference Finals appearance in three seasons.

"I've said many times on record what I think of him as a player," Rangers general manager Chris Drury said Wednesday. "He's a huge piece of our team and our organization. He does not appear to me to be slowing down. He takes his offseason seriously. He looks like he's in great shape and ready to go.

"As far as the contract stuff, I've also said on record that I don't talk about negotiations publicly. Any conversations I have with Artemi or his representation will stay that way, just private."

Across his 10-year NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks (2015-17), Columbus Blue Jackets (2017-19) and Rangers (2019-present), Panarin has racked up 870 career points (302 goals, 568 assists) in 752 games.

--Field Level Media