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Penguins in Prime Position to Strike Blockbuster Trades as 2 Forwards Drawing Major Interest
After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 3 straight years, the Pittsburgh Penguins could be entering a transitional period and could entertain trading 2 key veteran forwards on their roster.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a transitional period after having missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for each of the last 3 years, the longest drought of captain and future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby's NHL career.
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has already made a major change in leadership behind the bench, dismissing head coach Mike Sullivan and later hiring former New York Rangers assistant Dan Muse in his place.
Ironically, Sullivan landed in New York as the new head coach of the Rangers, who had just terminated Peter Laviolette after missing the playoffs themselves.
While there could be more changes to the roster, are they going to blow things up? Top NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun seems to think it's a possibility.
LeBrun suggested the Penguins could be preparing to part ways with one or both of veteran forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
In a more traditional offseason, several teams would be entering a rebuilding phase, saying, 'Take our veteran players off our roster' for future assets. But there really isn't a single franchise ready to implode its roster.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be considered that team, in some ways. They are listening on pretty much everyone other than their legacy guys. Bryan Rust is the guy most teams are calling on. Rickard Rakell is also a name to monitor.
It could put the Penguins in a unique position with the lack of sellers to cash in on that leverage.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be considered that team, in some ways. They are listening on pretty much everyone other than their legacy guys. Bryan Rust is the guy most teams are calling on. Rickard Rakell is also a name to monitor.
It could put the Penguins in a unique position with the lack of sellers to cash in on that leverage.
Rakell is under contract for another 3 years with an AAV (average annual value) of $5 million, while Rust is also under contract for another 3 years with a slightly higher AAV of $5.125 million.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 12 | 130 ANSWERS Penguins in Prime Position to Strike Blockbuster Trades as 2 Forwards Drawing Major Interest Which player would you rather see the Penguins trade this summer? | ||
| Rickard Rakell | 88 | 67.7 % |
| Bryan Rust | 42 | 32.3 % |
| List of polls | ||