BREAKING: Penguins Make Bold Decision on $30 Million Forward

There will be speculation over the Pittsburgh Penguins’ short-term future and what the team will do with some of its players as they navigate a difficult season.

Rickard Rakell is not likely to be sold before the March 7 trade deadline, Josh Yohe of The Athletic said on Wednesday in response to rumors regarding one of the Penguins’ veterans. “The idea that the Penguins are going to hold a fire sale, however, is a bit misguided,” stated Yohe. “In the case of Rickard Rakell, it might be flat-out wrong.”Discussions concerning the Penguins’ trade assets frequently bring up Rakell’s name. Dubas has no strong desire to deal with Rakell.

Rakell, 31, is currently in the third year of a six-year, $30 million contract that carries a $5 million annual cap hit and includes an eight-team no-trade clause. While his contract length and salary might typically make him an unlikely trade candidate at the deadline, the anticipated rise in the salary cap this offseason could boost his appeal in the summer market. “With the salary cap expected to increase significantly next season, teams will be much more inclined to pursue players like Rakell during the offseason,” Yohe noted.

This aligns with a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who highlighted the Penguins in his latest “32 Thoughts” column. “Pittsburgh has made it clear they are open to moving forwards, defensemen, and goalies,” Friedman wrote. “They’re willing to use their cap space to take on contracts, provided they receive what they truly want: young players, prospects, and draft picks (in that order).”

Rakell has been productive for the Penguins this season, tallying 21 goals and 15 assists in 43 games. However, despite his strong performance, the team remains outside the playoff picture, tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets at 44 points in the race for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.

While GM Kyle Dubas may not actively seek to trade Rakell, a move isn’t entirely off the table if a strong enough offer emerges. “If a team came forward with an outrageous offer for Rakell, Dubas would absolutely be willing to listen,” Yohe added. “That’s part of his job.”