New York Rangers Superstar Forward Linked To Western Conference Team As Trade Talks Heat Up

Artemi Panarin is now in his final year of his seven-year deal worth $11 million AAV, and has most recently rejected the team's latest offer, which has now left his future with the Rangers in question.

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, who dropped a juicy bit of information regarding the former 120-point forward, as General Manager Chris Drury and the team failed to convince him to sign a deal to help the team win.

The options for next steps with the Russian forward don't look promising. As they could let him walk, and lose out on a return.

Or Chris Drury would have to endure negotiations with Artemi Panarin and his camp to facilitate a trade where he'd want to go.

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman believes that one Western Conference team could be on his radar:

While it seems far-fetched, NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman believes that the Minnesota Wild could be the perfect spot for him.

As General Manager Bill Guerin seeks to improve the lineup, Panarin could be a perfect linemate for Kirill Kaprizov, or a great 2nd-line forward to extend team depth.

It'd be part of his promise to Kaprizov that they will get better. But at the moment, they only have $3 million in cap space and would have to utilize cap gymnastics in order to make room for the $11 million forward, Artemi Panarin.