NHL insider Elliotte Friedman floats Florida as a possible landing spot for Rangers star

On Monday's 32 Thoughts chatter, Friedman wondered about a few potential landing spots for Panarin, and Florida was one of the teams he mentioned in that hypothetical sweep. It's not a report of a deal, it's him connecting dots out loud.

Florida also checks the «veteran magnet» boxes, warm weather, a proven room, and yes, the no state income tax angle that keeps coming up around the league. Add in the fact they're the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, and you get why players listen.

Artemi Panarin is still a legit driver, not a nostalgia name. He's 34, undrafted, and coming off 37 goals and 89 points in 80 games last season, and he's sitting at 49 points in 45 games this year.

In a Panthers lineup, his biggest gift is the puck transport and the half-wall brain on the power play. Florida already wins tons of battles, Panarin would turn more of those recoveries into clean slot looks for the Panthers top unit.

As a fan, it's easy to picture him walking the blue line seam and making Sunrise gasp.

But the brakes matter, because his cap hit is $11,642,857, he has a full no-move clause, and his deal runs through the end of 2025-26. Even dreaming about it means cap gymnastics and real willingness from the player.

Friedman also tossed out Washington, Minnesota, and Colorado, which tells you this is more «fit theory» than intel. Sometimes stars want familiar faces, sometimes they want the shortest road to June, and Florida can sell that road hard.

For now it stays a fun hypothesis, but it's the kind that says something about the Panthers' status. They've become a destination, and that alone is a win before any superstar ever shows up.

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The Florida Panthers have a lot of miles coming and one very special stop