The Leafs should be ready to strike after the Rangers' latest Artemi Panarin call
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers have decided they will not offer Artemi Panarin a new contract which means the Maple Leafs have the perfect chance to strike.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs deciding whether or not to make a move, they could very well have a superstar on their hands if they really wanted to make a huge splash -- and get rid of their future assets too.
The Rangers have seemingly already decided to wave the white flag and are looking to retool and with that, several players are likely out the door and that includes veterans like Mika Zibanejad and Vinny Trocheck.
Rangers say 'Adios' to Artemi: Elliotte Friedman
But one player who is the most likely candidate is Artemi Panarin and a new report from Elliotte Friedman seems to confirm he's all but gone.
Friedman noted that the Rangers are not going to be presenting a new deal to Panarin and that he will be a free agent unless he signs a deal elsewhere upon being traded - an extremely likely possibility:
According to several sources, before releasing the letter, Drury met individually with members of the leadership group and addressed the team as a whole.
As part of this retool process, Artemi Panarin was informed that he will not be offered a contract extension, and that Drury was prepared to work with him and agent Paul Theofanous to trade the winger anywhere he wishes to go.
Neither Drury nor Theofanous could be reached for comment.
As part of this retool process, Artemi Panarin was informed that he will not be offered a contract extension, and that Drury was prepared to work with him and agent Paul Theofanous to trade the winger anywhere he wishes to go.
Neither Drury nor Theofanous could be reached for comment.
This really shakes things up as we can pretty much confirm that Panarin is gone and now it's just a matter of where he winds up at the end of the day.
Panarin, 34, has 51 points in 47 games which puts his career totals to 921 points in 799 games (318 goals, 603 assists).
The Maple Leafs could strike big, but it'll cost them everything
Knowing this, it would be a little difficult for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a move but if Brad Treliving felt this was the last chance he has to go all-in, then he might just do it.
There's always something special about adding a perennial 85-90 point scorer and especially one who can help replace the playmaking lost by Mitch Marner and elevate a resurgent Auston Matthews.
That alone is worth the price because if Panarin and Matthews can co-exist and find chemistry together, at least the Maple Leafs have a bit more offensive support come the playoffs and would fit into their direction of winning now; even if he re-signs short-term it could be worth it.
But that means that Easton Cowan is likely gone, so too is Ben Danford. Odds are the team needs to give the Rangers a pick as well and their last first-round pick could be the kicker.
There you're looking at no future prospects, an aging roster, and one that is certainly not guaranteed to bring you a Stanley Cup.
Though when has that ever stopped Brad Treliving before?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 16|1109 ANSWERS The Leafs should be ready to strike after the Rangers' latest Artemi Panarin call Should the Maple Leafs trade for Artemi Panarin? | ||
| Yes | 429 | 38.7 % |
| No | 680 | 61.3 % |
| List of polls | ||