The hockey world was abuzz on Wednesday as Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. However, before landing in LA, the New York Rangers winger had another potential destination: Seattle. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Seattle Kraken offered Panarin a four-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) exceeding Leon Draisaitl's $14 million.

This revelation raises an interesting question: Did the Kraken believe Panarin was worth more than Draisaitl?

To put this in perspective, Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in 2024, carrying an AAV of $14 million. At the time, this made him the highest-paid player in the NHL. Draisaitl, a perennial All-Star, has consistently ranked among the league's top scorers, known for his exceptional playmaking and goal-scoring abilities.

Artemi Panarin, now 34, is also considered an elite offensive talent. This season with the Rangers, he recorded 19 goals and 38 assists in 52 games. Throughout his NHL career, Panarin has demonstrated remarkable consistency and playmaking skills. Ultimately, Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for prospect Liam Greentree and conditional draft picks. He then signed a two-year, $22 million contract extension with the Kings, which carries an $11 million AAV.

While the Kraken's offer suggests they valued Panarin at a higher price point than Draisaitl's $14 million AAV, Panarin chose to go to Los Angeles. He also stated that he "never wanted to go anywhere else". According to Friedman, Panarin was willing to leave $30 million behind to play for the Kings. Panarin's contract included a full no-movement clause, allowing him to control his destination. He prioritized joining a team that wanted him and was ready to sign him to a new contract immediately.

Several factors could have influenced Seattle's willingness to offer Panarin more than Draisaitl's AAV. The Kraken, still a relatively young franchise, may have been looking to make a splash and attract a high-profile player to accelerate their competitive timeline. They may have been willing to overpay to secure a proven scorer like Panarin, who could bring immediate offensive firepower to their lineup. It was also reported that the Kraken was looking to add a scorer to push them over the edge and that they could use Shane Wright in a trade package for Panarin. Furthermore, the Kraken's General Manager, Jason Botterill, said that they will continue to be aggressive at improving their team.

Ultimately, the question of whether Panarin is "worth" more than Draisaitl is subjective and depends on a team's specific needs and circumstances. Both players are highly skilled offensive stars, but the Kraken's offer indicates they were willing to pay a premium for Panarin's services.