One Specific Canadian Team Tied to Rickard Rakell by Analyst, but Trade May Only Come in a Few Months
Photo credit: NHL Trade Rumors
The Toronto Maple Leafs have emerged as a team that the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are now run by ex-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, could trade forward Rickard Rakell to per analyst Michael DeRosa.
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas hasn't been able to find a trade partner for forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, along with defenseman Erik Karlsson, all 3 of whom have been heavily involved in trade rumors.
Multiple analysts have said they believe Dubas wants to intentionally lower the average age of the Pittsburgh roster to maximize their chances of landing the top overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Per Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a good destination for Rakell, and he could potentially play on the team's top line with captain Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
If the Maple Leafs acquired Rakell, he could work nicely playing on their first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Even if he played on the Maple Leafs' second line with William Nylander moving to the first, Rakell would undoubtedly give their current forward group more proven goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.
The Maple Leafs have just under $2 million of cap space, so they can't acquire him right now without clearing cap space.
The Maple Leafs have just under $2 million of cap space, so they can't acquire him right now without clearing cap space.
Current Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke about the need to shake up the club's DNA after their latest playoff collapse, and Rakell could help make that possible.
NHL analyst blasted Kyle Dubas for not having traded either Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell yet
Recently, Penguins analyst Mark Madden of TribLive ripped Dubas for not being able to facilitate a trade for either Rust or Rakell at this point.
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.
The Penguins are now a month away from the start of Training Camp, and there remains a chance that both Rust and Rakell could be on the ice.
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