Rangers Celebrate Panarin's Return to MSG

The New York Rangers paid tribute to former player Artemi Panarin during his first game back at Madison Square Garden.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:40pm

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The New York Rangers honored former star forward Artemi Panarin with a special tribute and ovation during his first game back at Madison Square Garden as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. Panarin played for the Rangers from 2019 to 2024 before signing with the Kings as a free agent last offseason.

Why it matters

Panarin was a fan favorite during his time with the Rangers, leading the team in scoring and helping them reach the playoffs multiple times. His return to MSG was an emotional moment for both the player and the Rangers organization, who wanted to recognize his contributions to the team.

The details

The Rangers played a highlight video of Panarin's best moments with the team during a stoppage in play, and the Madison Square Garden crowd gave him a standing ovation that lasted over a minute. Panarin acknowledged the tribute by waving to the fans from the Kings' bench.

  • Panarin played for the Rangers from 2019 to 2024.
  • Panarin signed with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent prior to the 2024-25 season.

The players

Artemi Panarin

A skilled forward who played for the New York Rangers from 2019 to 2024 before signing with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent.

New York Rangers

The NHL hockey team based in New York City that Panarin played for from 2019 to 2024.

Los Angeles Kings

The NHL hockey team that Artemi Panarin currently plays for after signing with them as a free agent.

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What they’re saying

“Artemi was such an important part of our team during his time here. We wanted to make sure we honored him and showed our appreciation for all he did for the Rangers.”

— Chris Drury, Rangers General Manager (NHL.com)

The takeaway

Panarin's return to MSG was a bittersweet moment, as Rangers fans celebrated his past contributions to the team while also acknowledging that he is now playing for a rival squad. The warm ovation showed the high regard in which Panarin is still held by the Rangers organization and fanbase.