NHL Rumors: Penguins 'far more likely' to trade in-demand $30,000,000 winger for draft capital in summer

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a fascinating 2024-25 campaign. Coming out of the gates with a 7-12-4 record had fans wondering if general manager Kyle Dubas would tear down the roster. Fortunately for Penguins fans, that possibility is gone for now with the team going 10-5-3 to climb back into playoff contention.

Despite their recent success, it still sounds like Dubas is open to trading some veteran players to accumulate more draft picks and prospects. $30,000,000 forward Rickard Rakell is one player that teams would certainly have plenty of interest in acquiring.

Josh Yohe, a Pens beat writer for The Athletic, broke down Rakell's future.

"The Penguins could trade Rakell, of course. Teams do desperate things and make desperate offers when they can smell the Stanley Cup, so Dubas will be ready for all possibilities. From what team sources tell me, however, a Rakell trade would be far more likely in the summer ... Dubas is eager to add draft picks and prospects, and Rakell could land them," Yohe wrote.

Rakell has had a bounce-back season for the Pens, racking up 33 points (18 goals, 15 assists) in 41 games. This comes after a disappointing 2023-24 that saw him produce just 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 70 games. The 31-year-old Swede is in the third season of a 6-year, $30 million contract that includes an eight-team no-trade list.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race

After a poor start, the Pittsburgh Penguins have managed to salvage their 2024-25 season. With a 17-17-7 record and 41 points, Sidney Crosby and company sit in a tie with the Montreal Canadiens for the final wildcard spot in the east.

It's fair to wonder if Kyle Dubas will want to hold on to more of his players like Rickard Rakell compared to what was originally anticipated. With the core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang another year older, there are only so many more opportunities they'll have to make the postseason.

Pittsburgh returns to the ice on Tuesday night for a critical divisional matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets who are just one point behind the Pens in the wildcard chase. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST at PPG Paints Arena.