Rangers Adjust to Life Without Star Panarin

Artemi Panarin returns to MSG for first time since trade to Kings

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:18pm

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The New York Rangers are learning to move on without star forward Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last month. Panarin was a focal point of the Rangers' deep playoff runs over the past seven seasons, collecting 642 points. His departure has opened up opportunities for younger players like Alexis Lafrenière and Gabe Perreault to take on bigger roles, though the team acknowledges it will be difficult to replace Panarin's elite skill set.

Why it matters

Panarin's exit marks a significant shift for the Rangers, who had built much of their recent success around the dynamic winger. His departure forces the team to adapt its style of play and rely more on its younger talent to fill the void, presenting both challenges and opportunities as the Rangers enter a new era.

The details

Panarin was the first major domino to fall in the Rangers' offseason moves, with president and GM Chris Drury informing him he would not receive a contract extension before trading him to the Kings. Panarin's ability to "slow the game down" and make plays through his vision and instincts made him a unique talent, one that will be difficult for the Rangers to replicate. Players like Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad learned a lot from Panarin's style of play, and now must adjust without him.

  • Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last month.
  • Panarin is making his first return to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers on March 16, 2026.

The players

Artemi Panarin

A dynamic forward who spent the last seven seasons with the Rangers, collecting 642 points across regular-season and playoff games. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings last month.

Mika Zibanejad

A Rangers center who played alongside Panarin and benefited from his playmaking abilities, especially on the power play.

Vincent Trocheck

A Rangers forward who played on a line with Panarin for the past three-plus seasons and learned from his ability to "slow the game down" and control the play.

Alexis Lafrenière

A young Rangers winger who was often the third member of Panarin's line and learned from the star's style of play.

Gabe Perreault

A 20-year-old Rangers winger who grew up watching Panarin and has now stepped into a more prominent role since Panarin's departure.

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What they’re saying

“It's so fresh still.”

— Mika Zibanejad (New York Post)

“You learn a lot from him in how he slows the game down and how he's not the fastest guy in the world, but he's able to just, with his eyes, control the play and how he's able to slow the game down through the neutral zone.”

— Vincent Trocheck, Rangers forward (New York Post)

“That's where you've got to understand how he wanted to play the game. For me, playing with him, the way he sets me up, a lot for me was for the shot, right, but he also sets it up in a way where if I don't have the shot, he gives me an opportunity to make a next play. Or, if he doesn't give it to me, then there's another reason behind it. … He doesn't try putting you in bad spots.”

— Mika Zibanejad, Rangers center (New York Post)

What’s next

The Rangers will continue to adjust to life without Panarin, relying on younger players like Lafrenière and Perreault to step up and fill the void. Panarin's return to MSG on March 16 will be an emotional moment for the team and fans as they reflect on his time in New York.

The takeaway

Panarin's departure marks the end of an era for the Rangers, who must now find a way to replace his elite offensive skills and playmaking abilities. While it presents challenges, it also opens up opportunities for the team's younger talent to emerge and shape the next chapter of Rangers hockey.