Canadian Team Tied to Penguins' Rickard Rakell by Analyst
Photo credit: NHL Trade Rumors
Multiple Pittsburgh Penguins players could be close to being traded, and NHL analyst Adam Gretz believes that the Ottawa Senators could be a good fit for forward Rickard Rakell.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the postseason in each of the last 3 years, the longest drought of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin's NHL careers. Additionally, multiple Penguins have been included in trade rumors, including Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson.
Per analyst Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report, Rakell could find himself being traded to the Ottawa Senators, who he thinks would be a good fit.
The Senators finally played their way back into a playoff spot in 2024-25, earning their first trip to the postseason since their 2016-17 Eastern Conference Finals run.
The big hang-up might be Ottawa's lack of a first-round pick in 2026 and a weak farm system that is lacking in top prospects. From a hockey standpoint, the Senators are a good match for Rakell. Logistically, they may not have the assets the Penguins would want.
The big hang-up might be Ottawa's lack of a first-round pick in 2026 and a weak farm system that is lacking in top prospects. From a hockey standpoint, the Senators are a good match for Rakell. Logistically, they may not have the assets the Penguins would want.
Rakell had 70 points (35G, 35A) for the Penguins this year despite missing the playoffs.
Are the Penguins shooting for the top pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft?
Multiple NHL analysts have speculated that the strategy for Dubas is not only to lower the average age of his team, but to make them potentially as poorly constructed as possible to increase their chances of landing the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The consensus 1st overall pick next year is forward Gavin McKenna, who will be playing collegiate hockey locally at Penn State.
Dubas has also faced criticism for not having already found a trade partner to unload Rust, Rickell and Karlsson.
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