On January 31, 2013, HC Vityaz traded Panarin to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2013 KHL Junior Draft. On April 29, 2013, Panarin signed a two-year contract extension with SKA. During his last season with the team, Panarin recorded 20 points in 20 postseason games. He helped the team win their first-ever Gagarin Cup.