Maple Leafs learn their fate in the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes
Photo credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin is going to be traded soon, and with the Toronto Maple Leafs expressing interest, fans are eager to know what will happen.
Artemi Panarin is someone who the entire NHL is looking at right now, thanks to the fact that the New York Rangers want to trade him.
A deal for Panarin would certainly move the needle in terms of the NHL news cycle, especially with the Olympic break coming up.
Overall, it is going to be a fascinating time for the NHL, and for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, the Panarin situation offers a unique opportunity.
In fact, we previously reported that the Leafs were somewhat interested in trading for the forward. Although they were always a long shot.
Are the Leafs in the mix for Artemi Panarin?
According to Elliotte Friedman, teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be out on the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes. They would need to give up a top prospect like Easton Cowan, which simply doesn't work.
Meanwhile, Panarin wants a huge contract extension, and he is simply too expensive for the Maple Leafs, who do not have the cap space.
Meanwhile, insider Pierre LeBrun believes it is actually a lot more likely that we see Panarin go to the Florida Panthers, going forward.
This is an interesting move by Panarin, especially when you consider how the Panthers aren't even a playoff team this season.
They are in a similar position to the Maple Leafs, and it looks like the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres will get those playoff spots.
Either way, this is sad news for the few Leafs fans out there who were holding out hope for some kind of miracle.
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