Artemi Panarin's next move came immediately after being traded

When the New York Rangers said they were retooling they weren't kidding and they dropped a bombshell as the NHL roster freeze deadline approached as they traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and two conditional picks.

One issue however is that Panarin did not sign an extension ahead of time and was a pending free agent when the Kings pulled the trigger.

However that has since been rectified as Elliotte Friedman reports that Panarin signed an extension with the Kings albeit for a much shorter timeframe than was anticipated:

Panarin was reportedly looking for a 4-5 year extension worth upwards of potentially $12.5-million per season, so to see the Kings come to a middle ground in terms of years and salary is a huge coup for GM Ken Holland.

The 34-year old has 57 points in 52 games this year with the Rangers (19 goals, 38 assists) and had been a bright spot on a team that has been stuck in the Metropolitan Division basement.

It will also give Panarin the chance to actually make the playoffs and contend for a Cup, meanwhile the Rangers get a seriously good prospect in Greentree; a player who has over 150 points combined (last season and this season) while also adding some very good draft capital.

The Kings will now get a superstar winger to help their playoff push and only sit four points out of first place in the Pacific Division.

It will be interesting to see how the Kings use Panarin but don't be surprised if you see him anchoring a line with fellow superstar Adrian Kempe, and the two could form a dangerous duo that could rival others in the division like McDavid/Draisaitl or Eichel/Stone.

For now though, Panarin goes from the chilly confines of New York City to the sunny hills of California with a new extension and outlook on his career.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
It’s official: the Artemi Panarin trade is done and it beat the roster freeze clock