The Pittsburgh Penguins were in trade rumors all summer long, but the front office elected to hold onto multiple veteran players. Pittsburgh has wanted to get younger across the roster, but with so many older players on the team, this has been a little difficult.

*PREDICTION*

One player who was subject to rumors this year has been veteran Rickard Rakell, who is coming off a career year with Pittsburgh. Rakell scored 35 goals and had 35 assists for Pittsburgh last season, playing in 81 games during the regular season.

The veteran has dealt with some injuries this year that have limited his time on the ice so far. The Penguins have held a high asking price for the veteran, but moving him could net them some strong assets for the future.

Rakell still has three years left on his current contract, and he is scheduled to make $5 million each season. This could impact some potential deals, with opposing teams likely wanting the Penguins to eat some of the salary.

It remains to be seen if the Penguins’ front office will end up trading Rakell, but he could be a strong candidate. Multiple teams have inquired about him, and the Penguins will be a team to watch closely as the trade deadline approaches next month.

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Penguins Move Rickard Rakell to Ottawa

As the Penguins assess the future of multiple guys on the roster, Rakell does seem like he could be on the move ahead of the NHL trade deadline. One team that could look to pull the trigger on a deal to land him is the Ottawa Senators, who could use a boost offensively for the season.

Ottawa made the postseason last season in what was a major surprise around the NHL, and now the team wants to build upon that notion. The Senators have gotten off to a slow start this year themselves, but adding a talent like Rakell could really push this team forward in the Eastern Conference.

We see teams make moves like this all the time, and then they go on a run in the second half of the season to reach the playoffs. Rakell could be a solid addition to the Senators, and he could be the missing piece for them to make a playoff run.

While Rakell won’t fix all the issues that the Senators have on the roster, he could at least fill some of the holes that they have seen this year. Rakell has proven that his contract is more than worth it, and this could be a move to help Ottawa both for this season and in the future.

Ottawa’s front office has been active in recent years, and Rakell could be a solid move for them to consider. The two sides could link up for a deal to get done once the NHL freeze lifts, and the Senators could net one of the bigger names who could be moved this year.

Related

You can add another achievement to Sidney Crosby’s resume as he is now the all-time leader in points for a Canadian NHL player at the Olympics. 

During Sunday’s final game in the preliminary round, Crosby scored in the second period against France to give him three points in the game, and 15 in his Olympic career. 

The Penguins and Team Canada captain surpassed Jarome Iginla for the most points by an NHL player with the goal. 

So far during the Milano-Cortina Olympics, Crosby has recorded two goals and five assists for seven points. 

Sidney Crosby’s history at the Olympics

In 2026, Crosby is looking to win his third Olympic gold medal after winning gold in 2010 and 2014. 

In 2010, Crosby scored arguably his most famous goal when he scored in overtime against Team USA in the gold medal game in Vancouver. 

Surpassing Iginla for the most points by a Canadian NHL player at the Olympics takes on some sentimental meaning, as Iginla got the primary assist on Crosby’s golden goal in 2010. 

That assist ultimately was Iginla’s final point for the Canadian Olympic Team. 

During the 2010 games, Crosby scored four goals and three assists for seven points. 

Four years later, as team captain for Canada, Crosby led the team to another gold medal while scoring just one goal and two assists in three games. 

Crosby’s milestones with the Penguins

In his 20th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby has done it all. He’s been a league MVP, won scoring titles, and, of course, three Stanley Cup championships. 

In December, Crosby surpassed Mario Lemieux as the franchise leader in points. 

A goal and an assist against the Montreal Canadiens gave Crosby 1,724 points at the time, surpassing Lemieux’s 1,723. 

Since then, Crosby has increased his career point total to 1,746 and is just 10 points shy of surpassing Steve Yzerman for 7th all-time in NHL history. 

Crosby has also scored 652 goals in his career, 38 shy of Mario Lemieux’s franchise-leading 690.