3 teams linked to blockbuster Artemi Panarin trade.

It seems inevitable that the New York Rangers will make a trade involving star forward Artemi Panarin sooner rather than later, with the Rangers publicly announcing earlier this month that they would not be offering Panarin a new deal.

This has set the stage for what will be one of the biggest trades of the season, perhaps only second to the monster deal that saw Quinn Hughes traded to the Minnesota Wild. The question now of course is where will Panarin end up?

Over the weekend, National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman revealed the names of several of the teams who are reportedly interested in making a deal with the Rangers.

"Some of the teams that are looking around are Anaheim, he has a history with Joel Quenneville," revealed Friedman. "I think L.A. has some decision to make about their overall situation... I think Washington with an extension and I think there's a bunch of other teams."

As Friedman mentioned some teams will only be willing to make a deal with an extension in place, but it may be in Panarin's best interest to wait until July 1st to maximize a potential return on a new contract.

"Part of this is also will he be willing to sign an extension," asked Friedman. "Are there places, so he controls where he goes, but I think some of the teams are wondering could there be an extension."

It sounds like, even without an extension, the Rangers will be seeking a massive return in any potential trade involving their star forward.

"Last year Brock Nelson was traded from the Islanders to Colorado... it sounds like that is where the Rangers starting point is," revealed Friedman.

That is a hefty price tag to be sure when you consider the Islanders received defenseman Oliver Kylington, a prospect in Calum Ritchie, a conditional first round pick and a conditional third round pick in the Brock Nelson trade. That is a total of 4 assets including an established NHL player and a first round pick, which means that teams looking to make this deal will have to pay up in a major way.