Elliotte Friedman drops big update on Artemi Panarin and Alex Tuch’s extensions; predicts monstrous contract figures

Elliotte Friedman updated on Artemi Panarin and Alex Tuch’s contract situations during Friday’s episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast. They are in the final year of their current deals, and their teams are mulling over extension offers for them.

Panarin remains one of the New York Rangers’ top players. He is in the final year of a seven-year, $81.5 million deal with a cap hit of $11.6 million per season, which expires after the 2025–26 season. Friedman said:

“We know the Rangers went to Panarin and said, ‘Would you consider a Kopitar kind of thing?’”

He added that talks haven’t progressed and noted that Panarin “is going to go for the biggest deal he can get.”

Meanwhile, Alex Tuch’s situation with the Buffalo Sabres is also being followed closely. The forward, who grew up in the area, is signed to a seven-year, $33.25 million contract with a $4.75 million cap hit that also runs through the 2025–26 season. Friedman commented,

“If Tuch was close, it would be done already,” suggesting that talks are not advanced.

Friedman explained that both players have gained leverage as the market continues to tighten.

“More players are coming off the market. The leverage for those guys has grown,” he said.

This gives Artemi Panarin and Tuch the freedom to wait while their teams figure out how much they are willing to spend to keep them.

For Buffalo, Friedman mentioned that Tuch’s connection to his hometown could slightly affect talks.

“If you’re Buffalo, and let’s talk, is willing to say, ‘Hey, from the area, I’m willing to give you a little less,’ you’re in that 11.5 area,” he explained.

That number shows how much salaries for top forwards have gone up.

The Rangers and Sabres have to decide their limits, while Artemi Panarin and Alex Tuch can afford to wait for offers that match their value.

Pierre LeBrun says Rangers are being patient on Artemi Panarin extension talks

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun wrote in his article for The Athletic that the New York Rangers are not rushing into talks about Artemi Panarin’s next contract. He mentioned that the team wants to see how things go under new coach Mike Sullivan before starting serious discussions.

“The Rangers want to see how things go and therefore are not in a hurry to get going more seriously on talks to extend the pending UFA winger,” LeBrun wrote.

He also noted that Panarin is unlikely to accept a short-term deal. According to LeBrun, Panarin’s agent, Paul Theofanous, is expected to look for “as much term as possible,” since this could be the final big contract of Panarin’s career.