Does Artemi Panarin to the Oilers Make More Sense Than We Think?

Until Artemi Panarin is traded and his sweepstakes come to an end, just about every playoff-contending team around the NHL will convince itself there’s at least a chance to land the superstar winger — whether that belief is realistic or not.

The Edmonton Oilers are one of those that fall into the unlikely category, or at least that’s how most around the hockey world would view it. That said, between his connection to GM Stan Bowman and the appeal of chasing a Stanley Cup alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, there are reasons for Panarin to be intrigued by the idea, and perhaps we shouldn’t rule it out.

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In a recent article for The Athletic dissecting how sensible it would be for each NHL team to trade for Panarin, Allan Mitchell listed the Oilers as making some sense, offering the following assessment.

Mitchell wrote:

“Acquiring Panarin would be an exceptional move for the Oilers. It would require trading Adam Henrique, plus the Rangers retaining salary. Add a first-round draft pick, a top prospect or possibly more, depending on the quality of other offers. Andrew Mangiapane would need to go in a separate deal and that could happen soon (no retention would be key). The idea is a perfect fit for the team’s needs. Panarin would have to waive his no-movement clause, and that’s a lot of “ifs,” but it’s a fantastic hockey trade in theory.”

The 34-year-old Panarin is, of course, a pending UFA in the seventh and final season of the seven-year, $81,499,999 contract he signed to join the Rangers in free agency of 2019. He’s in the midst of another very productive campaign, having tallied 56 points (19 goals, 37 assists) in 51 games played.

What Stands in the Oilers’ Way of Landing Artemi Panarin?

Panarin in Edmonton is undeniably intriguing and can’t be completely dismissed — especially given that he controls his own fate with a full no-movement clause — but there remain several hurdles standing in the way.

First and foremost is the salary cap. As Mitchell notes, the Oilers would need to move Adam Henrique’s $3 million and Andrew Mangiapane’s $3.6 million, while also relying on the Rangers to retain a substantial portion of Panarin’s salary.

Then there’s the acquisition cost. Panarin won’t come cheap, and while Bowman does have draft picks and prospects at his disposal, the Oilers could easily get beaten out in a bidding war.

Finally, there’s the biggest unknown of all: whether Panarin would even be willing to waive for Edmonton. There are plenty of hockey-related reasons why he should consider it, but rumors have long suggested a preference for warmer-weather markets — something Alberta clearly doesn’t offer.

All of that makes this a difficult deal to pull off. However, every major trade comes with obstacles, so if Bowman and the Oilers can get creative and convince Panarin that Edmonton is the best place to chase a Stanley Cup, it might not be impossible after all.

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