Artemi Panarin has been one of the New York Rangers’ biggest stars since the moment he arrived, but his long-term future in New York suddenly doesn’t look guaranteed. As the season moves forward, an NHL Insider believes everything could come down to one major factor that will decide whether the $81.5 million winger stays or if the Rangers move in a different direction.

Panarin is still producing at a high level, but with his massive contract ending after the current season, the pressure on the Rangers is rising. The team has to think about cap space, roster balance, and whether this core can actually make a deep playoff run. And that one factor insiders keep pointing to? Team success.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Panarin’s future is directly tied to how the Rangers finish th

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