Rickard Rakell is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. Born on May 5, 1993, in Sollentuna, Sweden, he plays as a right winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL as of 2025. Rakell was drafted 30th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and spent nearly a decade with the team.
He built his strong reputation with his back-to-back 30-goal seasons with the Ducks and played a crucial part in their multiple playoff runs. Internationally, he has represented Sweden at both the junior and senior levels, winning gold at the 2018 IIHF World Championship. On 21 March 2022, he joined the Penguins and continues to play with them.
Rickard Rakell contract
Rickard Rakell is under a six-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins, signed in 2022 and lasting through the 2027-28 season, according to Sportrac. The deal is valued at $30 million, with an average annual salary of $5 million.
| Season | Age | Cap Hit | Base Salary | Cumulative Earnings |
| 2022-23 | 29 | $5M | $6M | $6M |
| 2023-24 | 30 | $5M | $6M | $12M |
| 2024-25 | 31 | $5M | $6M | $18M |
| 2025-26 | 32 | $5M | $4.8M | $22.8M |
| 2026-27 | 33 | $5M | $3.6M | $26.4M |
| 2027-28 | 34 | $5M | $3.6M | $30M |
| 2028-29 | 35 | UFA | N/A | N/A |
Rickard Rakell salary
For the 2024-25 season, Rakell will earn a base salary of $6 million, while his cap hit remains $5 million. In the final two years, his salary declines to $3.6 million per year, while his cap hit remains constant. Rakell is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in 2028, as per Spotrac.
| Season | Age | Cap Hit | Annual Cap % | Base Salary | Cumulative Earnings |
| 2024-25 | 31 | $5M | 5.68% | $6M | $18M |
How much of Rickard Rakell’s contract is guaranteed?
Rakell’s entire $30 million contract is guaranteed, as per Sportrac. His contract runs through 2022-2023 until the 2028-2029 season.
Rickard Rakell's career earnings
Rickard Rakell's total career earnings as of the 2024-25 season amount to $42,685,893. With his current contract running until 2027-28, his projected career earnings will reach $54,685,893 by the end of his deal, as per Sportrac.
| Year | Age | Team(s) | Status | Cash Earned | Cumulative Earnings |
| 2013 | 20 | Anaheim Ducks (Retained) | $128,393 | $128,393 | |
| 2014 | 21 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $925,000 | $1,053,393 |
| 2015 | 22 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $832,500 | $1,885,893 |
| 2016 | 23 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $3,800,000 | $5,685,893 |
| 2017 | 24 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $3,800,000 | $9,485,893 |
| 2018 | 25 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $3,800,000 | $13,285,893 |
| 2019 | 26 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $3,800,000 | $17,085,893 |
| 2020 | 27 | Anaheim Ducks | Active | $3,800,000 | $20,885,893 |
| 2021 | 28 | Ducks/Penguins (Retained) | $741,000 + $3,059,000 | $24,685,893 | |
| 2022 | 29 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $6,000,000 | $30,685,893 |
| 2023 | 30 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $6,000,000 | $36,685,893 |
| 2024 | 31 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $6,000,000 | $42,685,893 |
| 2025 | 32 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $4,800,000 | $47,485,893 |
| 2026 | 33 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $3,600,000 | $51,085,893 |
| 2027 | 34 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Active | $3,600,000 | $54,685,893 |
Rickard Rakell's contract history
Rickard Rakell has signed three contracts in his NHL career. His rookie contract from 2012-2025. His second first long-term deal was a six-year, $22.8 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks (2016-2021), followed by his current six-year, $30 million extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2022-2027).
| Contract # | Years | Team | Length | Total Value | AAV (Average Annual Value) |
| 1 | 2012-2015 | Anaheim Ducks | 3 years | $2,775,000 | $925,000 |
| 2 | 2016-2021 | Anaheim Ducks | 6 years | $22,800,000 | $3,800,000 |
| 3 | 2022-2027 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 years | $30,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
FAQs on Rickard Rakell contract & salary
A. Rickard Rakell has scored 201 goals as of 2023-2024 season.
A. Rickard Rakell does not have any clause in his contract.
A. Rickard Rakell is from Sollentuna, Sweden
