Things could be getting ugly for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they try and trade off some pieces from their roster. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have been speculated as two aging wingers who could be dealt to open the door for some younger players in the system to get NHL ice time. Well, according to Keith Yandle of the Spittin' Chicklets Podcast, the Penguins almost got a deal done with Chicago.
"Actually, I heard a rumor that Rakell turned down a trade to go to Chicago." Yandle continued, "And that's why they brought up, who is the kid they brought up, McGroarty."
Just as a reminder Rakell has a limited no trade clause, which means he has to give the Penguins eight teams he will not accept a trade to. It's his contractual right, and who can blame him for turning down the Chicago Blackhawks. He would go from one mess to another. Chicago has been rebuilding for over half a decade and are desperately trying to make a move to get back into contention.
Acquiring a quality top six winger would help the Blackhawks turn things around this season, but it might be too late. They have one of the worst records in the NHL, only second to the Vancouver Canucks. They only have nine points through 18 games of action. This would've been a trade that worked in the Penguins favor, but there is no reason to blame Rakell for not accepting this move.
Rickard Rakell rumored trade nix to Chicago only buys him time with the Pittsburgh Penguins
When it comes down to it, this failed trade is not the end of this discussion for Rickard Rakell. The top six winger of the Penguins has only bought a little more time for himself. General manager Kyle Dubas clearly wants to make some deals, and Rakell is a clear option to move out of town. He's only getting older, and his production is sinking. He won't be the solution to the team's ongoing problems.
This season has been a disaster for Pittsburgh, and it appears the Dubas might've planned this setback all along.
It's forced the team into a scenario where they will have to move aging players out to recoup draft picks and prospects. They are now in a window where they must get younger. Neither Rakell, Rust, Erik Karlsson, or others fit that mold. Expect many of them to be in trade discussions this season.
No one should blame Rakell for not accepting a trade to the Blackhawks as it doesn't make sense for him to compete this season. That being said, it would've been a nice move by Pittsburgh. Chicago has a ton of draft picks in the first, second, and third rounds of the upcoming NHL Draft in 2027. They also have some interesting young players and prospects who could've supplied a strong return.
Saying no to this trade will only buy Rakell a little more time in Pittsburgh.
Unless something drastically changes in the next couple of weeks, there is no reason for the franchise to hang onto players who could net some draft picks or younger players in return. The Penguins are facing a new dawn and that means Rakell will likely be shipped out of town before the trade deadline at the very least.
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