Just before the Olympic roster freeze, Artemi Panarin, who started the season with the New York Rangers, was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. This significant move occurred amid trade deadline speculation, and although many expected Panarin to be available, the Buffalo Sabres were never seriously considered as a landing spot due to Panarin’s no-movement clause. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen, familiar with Panarin from their Columbus Blue Jackets days, understood the player’s control over his next destination.
Interest from Eastern Conference teams and playoff implications
Several Eastern Conference teams showed interest in Panarin, which could have altered the playoff landscape for the Sabres. Elliotte Friedman, appearing on NHL Network, noted that the Carolina Hurricanes were rumored to be a potential destination for Panarin, though those reports were quickly denied. Friedman explained,
“There was a wild rumor last night that he was going to Carolina. A lot of people heard it and it got denied in a lot of places. I believe what happened was there was a lot of leverage going on.”
Elliotte Friedman, NHL Network Analyst
In addition to Carolina, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning—two direct Buffalo competitors—were also linked to Panarin. The Sabres recently played back-to-back games against these teams, securing three points of a possible four, crucial for the playoff race. Following the break, Buffalo faces these rivals again in consecutive road games, which hold significant weight for postseason positioning.
The trade’s effect on the playoff race
Currently, Buffalo holds a nine-point advantage over the Panthers but trails the Lightning by eight points. Had either Florida or Tampa Bay acquired Panarin, the addition could have shifted the balance in the closely contested playoff chase. Panarin’s move westward to the Kings, therefore, indirectly benefits the Sabres by avoiding enhancement of contenders within their conference. This scenario helps Buffalo maintain momentum in seeking to end their prolonged playoff drought without strengthening immediate rivals.
