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Insider Reveals the Real Reason Why Trading Veteran Penguins Could Be Painful but Necessary


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Jack Sutherland
August 4, 2025  (8:54)
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Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell
Photo credit: NHL Trade Rumors

Per Penguins analyst Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas could soon be faced with the difficult but necessary decision to trade one or both of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.

The Pittsburgh Penguins apparently want to get younger, and general manager Kyle Dubas could soon be faced with the difficult but necessary decision to trade a number of veteran players.
Per analyst Josh Yohe of The Athletic, the Penguins could soon be forced to trade one of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust - or potentially both.
All of this leads us back to Rust and Rakell. No, they aren't stars, but they're the kind of guys who make stars better. They're better than good. They are also the most movable chips Dubas has.

You don't rebuild by riding fences. We've reached that point with the Penguins.

Moving Rust and Rakell will help the Penguins get there faster, and Dubas has to know this. I expect both to be traded at some point in the next eight months. It's the right thing to do.

The Penguins have also received interest from other NHL clubs for a potential acquisition.
You have to trade Rust. Rickard Rakell, too. The Penguins won't be good for a while longer, and by the time they are, Rust and Rakell will be nearing retirement age. Their value is higher now than it will ever be. It seems to be a seller's market. Do what you've got to do, Kyle.

You can make a compelling argument for either side. There are no right or wrong answers here, and no trade is ever a sure thing, no matter how good the return may be on paper.

As the Penguins' rebuild heads into the 18-month mark - it officially began when they traded Jake Guentzel to Carolina - Josh Yohe
The Penguins may deal one or both of them by the start of Training Camp next month.

The Penguins are in a transitional period

Not only are the Penguins in the midst of a rebuild, but they are also quickly approaching the uncomfortable reality of life without franchise icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
While Crosby agreed close to this time last year on a 2 year contract extension that keeps him with the Penguins through 2027, Malkin has only a year left on his deal and many believe this will be his last year in the NHL.
Additionally, Letang has experienced numerous health problems in recent years, including a pair of strokes along with having undergone heart surgery.
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Insider Reveals the Real Reason Why Trading Veteran Penguins Could Be Painful but Necessary

Which player is more likely to be traded from the Penguins?

Bryan Rust1834.6 %
Rickard Rakell3465.4 %
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