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Rangers GM Chris Drury Discusses Panarin Trade, Retool Plans
Drury details the Rangers' direction after dealing star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.
Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:55pm
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New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury spoke to the media about the team's decision to trade star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Drury discussed the Rangers' intention to retool rather than rebuild, their core group of players, and the development of younger talents like Alexis Lafrenière and Braden Schneider.
Why it matters
The Panarin trade is a significant move in the Rangers' retooling efforts, as they look to reshape the roster around their core players like Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad. Drury's comments provide insight into the team's strategy and vision for the future as they aim to get back to contending for the playoffs.
The details
The Rangers dealt Panarin, who was in the final year of his contract with a no-movement clause, to the Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and conditional draft picks. Drury said the Rangers were informed late Wednesday morning that Panarin was only willing to go to Los Angeles. The Panarin trade was the second move the Rangers have made since issuing a 'retool' letter, the first being the trade of veteran defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders.
- The Rangers dealt Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
- The Rangers traded veteran defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders last week.
The players
Chris Drury
The president and general manager of the New York Rangers, who detailed the team's retooling plans and the Panarin trade.
Artemi Panarin
The star winger who was traded by the Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings after six full seasons with the club.
Liam Greentree
The prospect acquired by the Rangers from the Kings in the Panarin trade.
Adam Fox
One of the core players the Rangers are building around, along with Igor Shesterkin, J.T. Miller, and Mika Zibanejad.
Igor Shesterkin
One of the core players the Rangers are building around, along with Adam Fox, J.T. Miller, and Mika Zibanejad.
What they’re saying
“With that no-move, he's [Panarin] got a lot of control over the situation.”
— Chris Drury, Rangers president and general manager
“We have identified and continue to identify players that we want here and want to stay here and go forward and build around and move forward with.”
— Chris Drury, Rangers president and general manager
“We valued him, a prospect like him, higher than a '26 or '27 first-round pick.”
— Chris Drury, Rangers president and general manager
What’s next
The Rangers will continue to evaluate their roster and make additional moves as part of their retooling efforts, with the goal of getting back to contending for the playoffs as quickly as possible.
The takeaway
The Rangers' trade of Artemi Panarin signals a shift in the team's strategy, as they look to retool their roster around a core group of players like Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad. The development of younger talents like Alexis Lafrenière and Braden Schneider will be crucial to the team's success in the near future.
