Kings Trade for Panarin, Send Greentree and Pick to Rangers
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move by trading for star winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers. In exchange, the Kings send prospect Liam Greentree and a conditional third-round draft pick to the Rangers. This trade comes as the Kings find themselves just one point outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
Details of the Trade
- Player Involved: Artemi Panarin
- Team Acquired From: New York Rangers
- Players Sent: Liam Greentree
- Draft Pick: Conditional third-round pick
Panarin’s Background
Artemi Panarin, aged 34, has been sidelined since January 26 as the Rangers anticipated this trade. He has had a standout season, scoring 19 goals and 57 points in just 52 games. Panarin is in the final year of a contract with an $11.6 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Rangers retained 50% of his remaining cap hit in this deal.
Prospective Implications for Kings
Greentree, a 20-year-old forward, has been impressive in the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 23 goals and totaling 45 points in 34 games this season. The Kings selected Greentree as the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Conditional Draft Pick Details
According to reports, the Rangers will receive the better of the two third-round picks from the Kings in 2026. If the Kings advance to the playoffs, the pick will turn into a second-round pick in 2026. Should they win two playoff rounds, the Rangers may also receive a fourth-round pick in 2028.
Panarin’s Career Highlights
Since entering the NHL as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Panarin has consistently proven to be among the best wingers in the league. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season with the Chicago Blackhawks, amassing 77 points. His career includes notable achievements such as:
- Two-time NHL All-Star
- Career totals of 321 goals and 927 points in 804 games
- 21 goals and 61 points in playoff games
Recent Performance
During the current season, Panarin set a personal-best with 120 points, including 49 goals. His tenure with the Rangers included becoming the fastest player in the franchise’s history to reach 400 points in only 310 games.
The trade occurred just before the NHL’s pre-Olympic trade freeze, which took effect at 3:00 PM ET, illustrating the urgency of the Kings to bolster their roster ahead of the playoffs.
