Two teams came this close to acquiring Artemi Panarin before Kings trade

Right at the deadline on Wednesday, just minutes before the NHL imposed its roster freeze ahead of the Olympic break, the New York Rangers finally moved Artemi Panarin, sending the star winger to the Los Angeles Kings. In return, New York received a conditional third-round pick and top prospect Liam Greentree. Almost immediately after the trade was finalized, Panarin signed a two-year, $22 million extension with the Kings.

While the deal ultimately landed Panarin in Los Angeles, few around the league had the Kings pegged as the clear frontrunner. The reality was far more complicated, and far tighter, than it appeared on the surface.

According to Elliotte Friedman, there was at least one serious alternative in play late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning before everything fell apart.

“There was a wild rumour last night that he was going to Carolina; a lot of people heard it,” Friedman explained on NHL Now. “But I think what happened was there was a lot of leverage playing going on.”

That potential Hurricanes deal never materialized, but it wasn’t the only near miss. Friedman also noted that another Western Conference contender made a significant push for Panarin, reportedly offering a massive long-term contract in an attempt to change his mind.

That team was believed to be the Seattle Kraken, who allegedly dangled a four-year offer worth north of $14 million per season, a deal that would have approached $60 million in total value.

Despite the money on the table, Panarin’s camp never wavered. His destination of choice remained Los Angeles, and only Los Angeles. Panarin joked that he spoke with Patrick Kane to see if a reunion in Detroit could be possible, but the Russian forward's response clearly indicates it was not in the cards.

“I hate him, so I didn’t want to come to Detroit,” Panarin chuckled during a zoom call with media on Thursday.

With Panarin holding a full no-movement clause, the Rangers’ leverage was effectively stripped away.

Once it became clear he was willing to waive only for the Kings, New York’s options narrowed to a single negotiating partner, and the return reflected it.

Panarin leaves New York as the team’s leading scorer in each of the past six seasons, including a career-best 49-goal, 120-point campaign in 2023–24. Now, he’ll look to continue that production in Los Angeles, while the Rangers are left to navigate the consequences of this deal that nearly went very differently.