Panarin drawing plenty of interest atop latest Trade Bait list

So great is the gap between Artemi Panarin and the rest of the field, the TSN Trade Bait Decision Desk contemplated placing the New York Rangers’ superstar at Nos. 1, 2 & 3 on today’s list.

But the Insiders outvoted the Outsider (aka The Quizmaster), so the 34-year-old left winger occupies only the top spot.

No disrespect is intended for the rest of this week’s top five: No. 2 Calgary centre Nazem Kadri, No. 3 Rangers centre Vincent Trocheck, No. 4 New Jersey right defenceman Doug Hamilton and No. 5 New Jersey left winger Ondrej Palat.

It’s just that Panarin casts a huge shadow over the trade market some two weeks before the Feb. 4 Olympic roster freeze and six weeks from the March 6 deadline.

The moment Rangers’ GM Chris Drury made it known last week the rebuilding franchise had no plans to re-sign its $11.6-million AAV expiring unrestricted free agent, Panarin became a focal point.

Within days, TSN’s top two players on the Trade Bait list, Kieffer Sherwood and Rasmus Andersson, were dealt to San Jose and Vegas, respectively, leaving Panarin as the uncontested No. 1 and pure catnip for teams hunting for a Stanley Cup.

Among the most motivated buyers for Panarin, who is in the midst of his ninth straight point-per-game season (56 points in 50 games), are Colorado, Washington, Los Angeles and Carolina.

With teams loading up for the playoffs, it’s worth noting Panarin collected 15 points in 16 games his last post-season appearance in 2023-24.

A final note, as two assets on the latest edition of the Trade Bait list require explanation:

No. 34 is Washington’s 2026 first-round draft pick: Capitals’ GM Chris Patrick has said a “higher-end skilled winger” is a priority - and one card he could play is this year’s top pick.

No. 35 Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstedt: The chances of trading one of this year’s top candidates for the Calder Trophy may be slim and none, but if the Wild wants to make a big move it may require moving a big asset. A reminder that Minnesota’s No. 1 goalie Filip Gustavsson signed a five-year, $6.8-million AAV contract that kicks in next season.

Trade Bait - January 22