The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a tough spot. After years of playoff contention, it seems age and a few suspect roster moves have caught up to them. This season has been a significant disappointment, and a shakeup could be coming. One player who could be on the move is forward Rickard Rakell.
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now pointed to Rakell’s disappointing production as a reason for the Penguins’ struggles. While Rakell was a consistent scorer for Pittsburgh last season, his offensive output has dwindled this year. With a $5 million salary cap hit for the next four seasons, moving on from Rakell could be in the Penguins’ best interest.
3 Reasons Why the Pittsburgh Penguins Could Trade Rickard Rakell
- Salary Cap Flexibility: Rakell’s contract takes up a significant chunk of Pittsburgh’s salary cap. Trading him would free up much-needed space, allowing the Penguins to re-sign key players or pursue other targets in free agency or the trade market.
- Revitalizing the Roster: Trading Rakell could represent the start of a roster shakeup. Bringing in fresh faces could breathe new life into the Penguins, who looked stale at times this season. A trade could signal a commitment to change and spark a renewed competitive fire within the team.
- Acquiring Draft Picks: The Penguins are in desperate need of an injection of young talent. Dealing Rakell could bring in valuable draft picks that can be used to select or trade for promising prospects to rebuild the team’s future.
While there are risks associated with trading any player, moving Rickard Rakell could be a shrewd move for the Penguins this offseason.
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