Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews connected in Kings' Artemi Panarin contract decision The Los Angeles Kings made a splash before the Olympic roster freeze. They traded with the New York Rangers to bring aboard 34-year old forward Artemi Panarin to add some serious offensive firepower.

"I never wanted to go anywhere else." Artemi Panarin was one of the rare players with full control over his destination via trade. Most times, players are traded to the team that makes the best offer and that’s that.

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired star winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in a blockbuster deal, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The trade speculation around Panarin picked up when the Rangers made him a healthy scratch for trade-related reasons ahead of their Jan.

The Rangers had a lot working against them in an Artemi Panarin trade but the return from the Kings is still underwhelming.

Panarin, acquired from the New York Rangers on Wednesday just before the NHL’s Olympic break trade freeze, will make his Kings debut on Feb. 25 when they host Vegas.

Artemi Panarin is now with the Los Angeles Kings, where former Red Wings GM Ken Holland signed him to a two-year extension.