It’s time for some more NHL rumours. Players are filing into training camps, but that doesn’t mean the hot stove talk has quieted. If anything, contract speculation ramps up with the beginning of camp. Some high-profile players are trying to finalize their respective contracts. General managers are trying to finalise these deals so that those players won’t hit the open market.<\/p>\n
One team that has a big-ticket free agent seeking a new deal is the New York Rangers.<\/a> This edition of NHL rumours deals with what direction contract talks could take this season.<\/p>\n All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.<\/p>\n Rumour: Frank Seravalli was on The Big Show on Sportsnet 960<\/a> in Toronto. He gave an update on contract talks between the Rangers and superstar forward Artemi Panarin<\/a>. Servalli said the Blueshirts are going to take a wait-and-see approach when it comes to a new agreement.<\/em><\/p>\n Analysis:<\/em> The Rangers are coming off a 2024-25 season where they failed to meet lofty expectations.<\/a> That campaign led to a number of changes<\/a>, including Mike Sullivan<\/a> replacing Peter Laviolette<\/a> behind the bench. It’s hard to say what type of team<\/a> New York will be this coming season.<\/p>\n Some think the Rangers will bounce back and be in the mix for a Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, others think it’ll be difficult due to the advancing age of some of their core players. This includes Panarin, who will turn 34 just before Halloween.<\/p>\n The Russian is in the last year of his current contract that sees him making over $11.64 million per season. We’ve talked about Panarin in past editions of NHL rumours<\/a> about what the future may hold for both sides.<\/p>\n Seravalli reported about the Rangers’ approach to how they’ll handle Panarin and it makes sense. New York General Manager Chris Drury<\/a> is going to let things play out.<\/p>\n Drury will likely be inclined to keep Panarin around if the Rangers are fighting for a post-season spot. The pressure could be on Drury if New York doesn’t make progress this season. We’ve seen hefty expectations place on the team, but the Rangers have not lived up to them.<\/p>\n We could see Drury make some massive changes if the season goes sideways. The Rangers have a lot of cap space in the coming season and Drury could clear the decks in preparation to weaponize that space. New York will have nearly $30 million in cap space<\/a> if they don’t make any other roster changes. However, they could make other trades in order to acquire even more.<\/p>\nNHL Rumours<\/h2>\n
Direction of Contract Talks Between New York Rangers and Russian Forward<\/h3>\n
What It Means<\/h4>\n