A bombshell for the Rangers, as the Blueshirts will keep Artemi Panarin scratched until a trade is finalized. This comes after Panarin played over 24 minutes in their win over the Boston Bruins on Monday night. A Panarin trade has all but been assured after the Rangers issued their letter, part 2 last week. The move isn’t a surprise, but perhaps the timing is earlier than expected as it doesn’t appear a trade is imminent.
Panarin ends his Rangers career with 205 goals, 402 assists, and 607 points in 482 games, and is easily the Rangers best free agent signing in organizational history. That legacy is overshadowed by off ice allegations of sexual assault and perhaps fracturing the locker room with the allegations and the team barbecue he hosted to say goodbye to Barclay Goodrow two summers ago.
Keeping Panarin scratched is a no-brainer for the Rangers, though we may not see a trade immediately. Panarin is looking for an extension and the Rangers are allowing him to negotiate with teams as the process unfolds. Stay tuned.
Recent Comments