The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling this season, currently sitting in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division and six points behind a wild-card spot. At this point, it seems unlikely they will make the postseason, and while the overall performance of the team has been lacking, some players have had standout individual seasons. One such player is Rickard Rakell, whose impressive play has been a pleasant surprise, but his future with the Penguins may now be in question.
Rakell had a decent, if not spectacular, season last year with 15 goals in 70 games, but heading into this season, he had a lot to prove. He has more than met those expectations, posting 32 points in his last 29 games and leading the team with 25 goals. Rakell has been a key member of the first line, playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust, and his performance earned him a spot on Team Sweden for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, filling in for the injured William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights. The tournament will take place in Montreal starting on February 12.
While Rakell’s strong showing this season has been valuable for the Penguins, it may not be enough to secure his place on the team long term. The Penguins have already begun taking steps toward retooling their roster for the future. On February 1, they traded defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a future first-round draft pick, Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, and 18-year-old prospect Melvin Fernstrom. This deal reflects GM Kyle Dubas’ strategy to manage assets with an eye on the future, as Heinen, a former Penguin, returns after a productive 2021-22 season with 18 goals.
While the Penguins are not necessarily preparing for a complete fire sale before the trade deadline, Dubas has made it clear that he is open to selling off pieces as the deadline approaches. Rakell, with his strong performance this season, is one of the team’s most valuable trade assets. Despite his success, the 31-year-old forward doesn’t fit Dubas’ goal of making the team younger, which puts his future with the Penguins in doubt. Rakell’s current contract runs through the 2027-28 season with an average annual value of $5 million, a bargain for a player of his caliber. Given his contract and strong play, Rakell is likely to draw significant interest from other teams, and Dubas is likely fielding offers for him. If he receives the right offer, he may be willing to pull the trigger on a deal.
Dubas is clearly focused on building a strong future for the Penguins, even if that means moving on from some of the team’s core pieces. While the organization had hoped for one more Stanley Cup with Crosby and the rest of the veteran core, it’s increasingly apparent that the Penguins are closer to rebuilding than competing for a championship. As Dubas looks to prioritize the team’s long-term success, he may wait until the trade deadline on March 7 to maximize Rakell’s trade value. With a clear plan in place, Dubas is ready to make the moves necessary for the future, even if that means parting ways with one of the team’s top performers.
