The NHL trade deadline in the league is still over a month away next month on March 26, but the Los Angeles Kings had a de facto early deadline on the block today before the roster freeze around the league for the Winter Olympics break this upcoming week in early February. The Kings had leverage today on the trade block to get a huge big splash deal on the trade market today before the roster freeze.
Artemi Panarin trade helps the Los Angeles Kings upgrade the power play on special teams while adding scoring punch and offense to the active roster lineup group
LA got the big fish and big splash player on the trade block today on the market in the West. The Kings got Artemi Panarin signed to a contract extension deal in the exchange for a couple of conditional entry draft picks this decade from the New York Rangers in the late 2020s and top forward prospect and former first-round entry draft pick winger Liam Greentree.
New general manager Ken Holland and the Kings' front office signed star veteran forward Artemi Panarin to a two-year contract extension deal after trading for him from the Rangers from New York on Wednesday afternoon, early before the roster freeze around the league for the NHL in early February.
ARTEMI PANARIN IS AN LA KING. 🍞
— LA Kings (@LAKings) February 4, 2026
Full release 📰📲 https://t.co/2pUOAa8SPk pic.twitter.com/u5NwmyQ7m5
I think it goes without saying that Holland and the Kings got a great and smart piece in the active roster lineup this regular season in the West with Panarin with the top-six offensive forwards.
The Kings added some valuable spark offensive pop for goal scoring this regular season in the Pacific Division in the West while also helping the team's chances for this upcoming postseason this spring in the division. Since the Kings are within striking distance of a couple of points in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division of a spot this upcoming playoffs this postseason this spring, I think trading for Panarin can help the team get over the hump in the standings over the next couple of months.
It sounds like the Kings were one of the few teams in the West this regular season that were wanting to give Panarin a contract extension deal and contribute offensively, scoring the puck this spring.
The major reason why the Kings haven't had a significant and appreciable points season this year in the West in the Pacific Division for the playoff picture has been frustrating offensive scoring woes around the net on power play on special teams. Panarin can help the Kings get over the hump in the Pacific Division in the West this regular season in the standings in the next month or so on the schedule.
Not only did the Kings get Panarin signed to a very workable contract extension deal, worth around $11.5 million in average annual value over two years (through the end of the 2026-27 season), they also didn't have to give up any contributor players in the active roster lineup this regular season in the West.
Holland and the Kings got a good piece to contribute with other top scoring forwards with the puck, like Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala, while also signing him down to a fair contract extension deal price this regular season in the Pacific Division.