The New York Rangers and general manager Chris Drury have effectively conceded that the 2025–26 season is not headed toward a championship outcome. Following an uneven year capped by a rough stretch after the 2026 Winter Classic, Drury addressed the fan base with a letter outlining the organization’s intention to begin a roster “retool.” The message was clear: the Rangers are preparing to move select veterans in exchange for younger players and future draft capital, with the goal of reshaping the team into a long term contender.
One of the most significant names tied to this plan is Artemi Panarin. Moving a star of his caliber is never an easy decision, but the reality of his contract leaves the Rangers with little leverage. Panarin is set to become a free agent after the season, meaning this represents the final opportunity for New York to extract value rather than risk losing him for nothing. Any potential deal is complicated by the fact that Panarin controls his destination, as he must approve a trade, narrowing the list of possible suitors.
Despite that limitation, one potential landing spot stands out, and it is a scenario that much of the league would dread. The Colorado Avalanche have emerged as a team that has already explored the idea of acquiring Panarin, a move that could dramatically shift the balance of power in the NHL.
The Athletic’s Peter Baugh and Vince Mercogliano examined ten possible destinations for Panarin, with Colorado among the most intriguing. As they note, “The Avalanche were in contention to land Panarin during 2019 free agency, and they have had internal discussions about pursuing him again at the deadline, per a league source. They have been the best team in the league to start the season. If Panarin wants a prime chance to win, Colorado makes sense, from his perspective.”
Avalanche have discussed pursuing Artemi Panarin at trade deadline
While much of the league has remained clustered in the playoff race for large portions of the season, Colorado has consistently separated itself from the pack. The Avalanche have been widely viewed as the clear Stanley Cup favorites, establishing dominance early and rarely letting up. At one point, they suffered just two regulation losses several months into the campaign, an almost unheard of level of consistency.
Colorado’s roster is already headlined by elite talent. Nathan MacKinnon has positioned himself as the frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, while Cale Makar continues to build a strong case as a leading Norris Trophy contender. Together, they anchor a team that excels on both sides of the puck.
Through 47 games, the Avalanche sit at 34-5-8, totaling 79 points. Statistically, they stand alone atop the league. They average 4.02 goals per game, the best offensive mark in hockey, while allowing just 2.30 goals per game, also the league’s lowest figure. That level of balance is remarkable, especially considering the organization moved on from Mikko Rantanen after this season. Even without him, Colorado has not skipped a beat.
The idea of adding Panarin to this already stacked roster is understandably unsettling for the rest of the NHL. Colorado previously attempted to lure him during the summer of 2019, only to lose out to the Rangers. Nearly seven years later, the Avalanche are arguably even better positioned to maximize his impact. Slotting Panarin into their lineup would elevate an elite team to potentially historic levels.
From the Rangers’ perspective, the return package is just as important as the boldness of the move. Baugh and Mercogliano point out that Colorado does not boast one of the league’s deepest prospect pools. However, the Avalanche do have valuable future assets, including first round picks in 2027 and 2028, that could form the backbone of a deal. They also mention the possibility of Colorado absorbing Ross Colton’s contract, which carries one remaining year at $4 million.
In theory, trading a player like Panarin should bring back a massive haul. In practice, his no trade leverage complicates matters and could limit how much New York ultimately receives. With only months remaining before the postseason begins, the Rangers now face a critical window to determine just how much value they can extract as they take their first major step into a retooling phase.