Huge contenders barge into Artemi Panarin sweepstakes for blockbuster trade!

The race for Artemi Panarin is heating up, and it’s just big as anyone might have expected.

On Thursday, insider Pierre LeBrun confirmed that all three California teams, the Sharks, Kings, and Ducks, have reached out to Panarin’s camp. Anaheim, however, is believed to be out of contention, as a contract extension doesn’t fit their current plans. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes remain interested, though Panarin reportedly favors a move to Florida, leaving questions about how the Panthers could make the cap work.

The frenzy escalated after Panarin was suddenly pulled from the New York Rangers lineup before Wednesday’s game against the Islanders, a move attributed to “roster management purposes.” It set off waves of speculation that a trade could be imminent.

But Thursday’s rumors suggest this could be even bigger than the five teams initially reported. Kevin Weekes revealed that suitors are lining up across the league, with potential interest from the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Utah Mammoth, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Some of these teams may need to pull off blockbuster deals just to fit Panarin under their caps.

Later on Thursday evening, LeBrun had more on the Panarin story, maintaining that an extension is key to make a trade happened. His colleague Darren Dreger also noted that the Stars, while interested in the Russian player as they seek a top-9 forward ahead of the deadline, are interested in him as a rental.

"So, if Panarin is interested in a rental option, then you look at the Stars. Otherwise, the Stars will look elsewhere for a pending unrestricted free agent top nine forward and we know that there are a number of players that comfortably fit in that category."

At 34, Panarin remains one of the NHL’s most dynamic forwards, but his $11.6-million cap hit, full no-movement clause, and status as a pending unrestricted free agent make any trade a delicate operation. An extension could pave the way for a deal, but for now, the hockey world is left guessing.

Will a blockbuster deal go down before the Olympic break or the deadline, or will Panarin remain in limbo until March 6? One thing is certain: whoever lands him could shift the balance of power in the league.