3 home-run prospects the Penguins would deal Rickard Rakell for

The NHL Trade Deadline is coming up really soon and General Manager Kyle Dubas has a big decision to make. Dubas needs to decide if now is the time to pull the trigger and deal another one of Crosby's top linemates in Rickard Rakell, or hold on to him till the summer when it might be easier to deal him.

The Penguins could decide to keep their captain happy and let the season ride out with Rakell right by his side where they have chemistry together. Or if they seriously get an offer worth their while, they could choose to deal him now.

There are a few big prospect targets the Penguins could be looking for, if they decide to trade their star first-liner now.

Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke

This would be a big ask from Dubas as the Kings ideally do not want to trade one of their prized young prospects. But if this was part of the trade proposal that the Kings made for Rakell, the Penguins would accept this without hesitation.

He was drafted high for a reason as he does a lot of things well. He skates well, he has a good shot, he can find open teammates. But there is a problem that has risen lately. He has been in and out of the Kings lineup as a healthy scratch.

But if the Kings were to offer a first-round pick and Clarke in a deal for Rakell, the Penguins are taking that anyday and running.

Jets forward Brad Lambert

Lambert is an interesting prospect as he just got called up recently to the Jets and picked up his first point of the season on February 7th which was an assist. But the day after the game, he was sent back to the AHL.

One of Lambert's strengths is his shot. He has a killer one and he can use it to advantage if he was to get more run in the NHL. But it seems the Jets thinking is he needs more development in the AHL. He had 20 points in 36 games, but with more development, he could have better numbers.

If Lambert was offered in a deal for Rakell, the Penguins would also take this one because they have done such a good job rebuilding their prospect pool, and Lambert is just about NHL ready.

Lightning forward Isaac Howard

Along with the other possible ways to make a deal for Rakell worth the Penguins while, this is a third one of them. This is also a high prospect on the Lightning's board and someone they say they do not want to deal.

But if they really want to go for it and try to win the Stanley Cup again, Rakell is really one to try to go after and get in a trade that would seriously have them competing this year.

Howard is highly regarded among the league and is one that most teams should think that the Lightning will not deal. Like Lambert, he has quite the shot and uses it to his ability.