Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins Linked in Exciting Potential Trade Involving a Former 30 Goal Scorer
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A new report from NHL insider Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic has connected the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins in a potential deadline deal involving Rickard Rakell.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to be a selling team focusing on the future by the time the NHL Trade Deadline rolls around despite their solid start to the season.
Conversely the Buffalo Sabres who have started poorly are in a make or break season with many veteran players holding a Stanley Cup Playoffs or bust mentality.
As a result, the Penguins and Sabres have linked as potential trade partners early in the year with Sabres reporter Matthew Fairburn indicating the team could be interested in Rickard Rakell.
New Report Connects the Penguins to a Potential Trade With the Sabres
According to Fairburn, Rakell's two-way game and offensive upside could be a big selling point to Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff.
He had career highs with 35 goals and 35 assists last season. He also had 19 power-play points, so he could help there. Rakell's flexibility to play center and wing would give Ruff some lineup options, too. And it helps that Rakell has a 52 percent on-ice expected goals share for his career, so he can be counted on defensively.
The Sabres have plenty of cap space to bring in Rakell and hold one of the better prospect pools in the NHL which makes them an ideal trade partner for Kyle Dubas and the Penguins.
If the Penguins are out of the playoff race closer to the deadline and the Sabres are within striking distance a deal involving Rakell to Buffalo could be the ideal big deadline deal for both sides.
As of right now, nothing is imminent between the two sides but as the deadline approaches this will continue to be a situation to follow.
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