Insider Sees Ducks Making a Play for Rangers Superstar

The Anaheim Ducks may be an unexpected player in the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who suggested on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that Anaheim could be a potential fit if the star forward hits the market.

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Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent, has yet to reach an agreement on a new contract with the New York Rangers, and Friedman noted that while the veteran winger prefers to stay in New York, there’s growing curiosity around what might happen if talks stall.

“I was kind of wondering if a guy like Panarin might make some sense there,” Friedman said, referencing Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, who has earned a reputation for taking “big swings” in his short tenure.

The Ducks, currently built around a deep pool of young talent that includes Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, Leo Carlsson, and Troy Terry, could see Panarin as the elite veteran piece to accelerate their transition from rebuild to contention. Friedman also pointed out the connection between Panarin and Joel Quenneville, who coached him during his breakout rookie season in Chicago. How much those two are still linked is anyone’s guess, but it could be a potential storyline to watch if Quenneville makes it known that he’s interested.

Panarin to the Ducks Is Little More Than a Theory

While a deal remains purely speculative, and Friedman wasn’t saying he’s heard rumblings of any trade or interest from either side, the idea of Anaheim pursuing a short-term, high-impact scorer like Panarin would be fascinating. It would signal a dramatic shift in their competitive timeline.

First things first, the Rangers need to decide what they’re doing with their star forward. Once his future with the team is determined, only then could Verbeek even begin preparing to take one more “big swing” in Anaheim.

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