NHL Analyst Slams Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Over Rakell and Rust Decision
Photo credit: Hockey Unplugged
Analyst Mark Madden is slamming Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas for having not yet traded Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, who are heavily involved in rumors.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are projected to be one of the worst clubs in the NHL this year, and aren't expected to come close to realistically challenging for a postseason spot.
If that holds true, it would be the 4th straight year of no playoff hockey for the Penguins. At 3 years, it's already the longest drought of Sidney Crosby's career.
Right now, multiple Penguins players are heavily involved in trade rumors, starting with forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, as well as defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Penguins analyst Mark Madden of TribLive recently blasted Penguins GM Kyle Dubas for having not yet traded Rust and Rickell, saying the goal needs to be to move them so that their chances of finishing with a poor record and landing a better pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
»I can't believe they're still both on the roster. And if they're both on the roster when the season starts, Kyle Dubas just doesn't get it. Although I think he does get it, I think one or both will be gone. I know people say you might be able to get more for them at the deadline, but the object isn't to get a lot for either. The object is to get them off the team, so that the team finishes as low as possible by way of getting a higher pick in the draft.»
«Get those balls in the lottery, maybe get McKenna if you get really lucky, which would be hilarious. There would be 5-6 NHL cities that would spontaneously combust if the Penguins won the McKenna lottery. You have to get rid of those guys. Sid might be upset if he doesn't have anyone to play with, which is why they might keep one of them, but that shouldn't matter.»
«Get those balls in the lottery, maybe get McKenna if you get really lucky, which would be hilarious. There would be 5-6 NHL cities that would spontaneously combust if the Penguins won the McKenna lottery. You have to get rid of those guys. Sid might be upset if he doesn't have anyone to play with, which is why they might keep one of them, but that shouldn't matter.»
This year, Rust had a new career-best 31 goals, while Rakell had a strong year with 70 points (35G, 35A).
The Penguins are also trying to trade Erik Karlsson
While Rust and Rakell are getting the majority of the trade speculation, another player the Penguins are attempting to move is high-priced defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson still has another 2 years left on his contract with a considerable AAV (average annual value) of $11.5 million, making him difficult to move. The Penguins would have to retain a portion of that number as a sweetener in any potential deal.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 29 | 78 ANSWERS NHL Analyst Slams Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Over Rakell and Rust Decision Which Penguins player is more likely to be moved before the season starts? | ||
| Rickard Rakell | 46 | 59 % |
| Bryan Rust | 32 | 41 % |
| List of polls | ||
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