November 7, 2025 | 12:03pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

PANARIN UNCLEAR OF FUTURE, CRITICAL OF OWN GAME

Artemi Panarin, forward

Artemi Panarin has not produced at the level he is used to in the early-going of the 2025-26 season and he has readily acknowledged he needs to be better.

With just two goals and seven points in 14 games, thus far, Panarin is trying to get his game on track and even shaved his head in an attempt to shake off the cobwebs.

“I had to change something,” Panarin told the New York Post. “The next step is a left stick if this doesn’t work.”

Panarin, 34, is in the final season of a seven-year, $81.5 million contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He also owns a full no-movement clause as part of his deal.

He told The Post he is thinking about his future and where it may fall, admitting he has not head anything on the trade front, and an extension is not yet on the horizon, but believes that shouldn’t distract him from producing on the ice.

“For sure. Players always think about their next years,” Panarin said. “But it’s not an excuse.

“I always feel confident, but it’s not 100 percent like usual because I don’t have enough points. But that can change any game. Maybe it will [Friday]. I feel close [to scoring] every game. It’s just not working. I’m getting chances, I just can’t score right now.”

The Rangers currently sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 6-6-2 record. If the team does not make up ground and struggles this season, GM Chris Drury may explore the trade market to see what teams may be willing to pay to acquire Panarin.

Various reports suggest Panarin wants to stay in New York, but is looking for a mid-term contract, something in the five-year range. It is unclear when contract talks will pick up, if at all, this season.