Penguins Player Who Must Be Traded Soon

One veteran Penguins player could draw significant interest from other NHL teams.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have already made notable roster moves in the 2024-25 NHL season, signaling a potential shift in strategy. Earlier this season, Pittsburgh traded Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals, a move many saw as the first step toward a possible rebuild. Shortly after, the Penguins completed a trade with the Nashville Predators to acquire forward Philip Tomasino.

Despite these moves, it’s clear the Penguins are far from done reshaping their roster. However, due to the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, no trades can occur until 11:59 PM local time on December 27. This gives general manager Kyle Dubas a crucial window to evaluate the team’s performance and decide on the best course of action moving forward.

Where Do the Penguins Stand?

At this point in the season, the Penguins find themselves in a precarious position. They currently occupy fourth place in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Ottawa Senators by just one point for the East’s final Wild Card spot.

On paper, Pittsburgh could still contend for a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. However, even if they manage to clinch a spot, their current roster appears ill-equipped to make a deep playoff run. This leaves Dubas with a difficult decision: double down on this season or start preparing for the future.

Regardless of the direction Pittsburgh takes, there’s one move they should strongly consider — trading Rickard Rakell, their top-performing veteran scorer.

Rickard Rakell: A Prime Trade Candidate

The Penguins have been blessed with two of the greatest players of their generation, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Both are still more than capable of leading the team offensively. However, surprisingly, neither player currently leads the team in goal-scoring. That honor belongs to Rickard Rakell, a veteran winger who has enjoyed a resurgence this season.

Through 34 games, Rakell has already scored 15 goals, per ESPN, surpassing both Crosby (nine goals) and Malkin (seven goals) combined. Alongside Bryan Rust, Rakell is one of only two Penguins players with double-digit goals this season.

Rakell’s Advanced Metrics Shine

Rakell’s success isn’t just about raw numbers; his underlying stats at 5v5 are equally impressive. According to Evolving Hockey, he holds the second-highest Goals For Percentage among Penguins skaters at 5v5. Additionally, Rakell leads the team in Fenwick For Percentage and ranks second in Corsi For Percentage.

Even when looking at all strengths, Rakell continues to stand out. Only Sidney Crosby boasts a higher Expected Goals For Per 60 Minutes this season, underscoring Rakell’s value as an offensive catalyst.

Challenges to a Potential Trade

Despite the logical benefits of trading Rakell, there are obstacles to consider. His $5 million cap hit limits the number of teams that can afford him without making corresponding moves. Additionally, the holiday roster freeze temporarily halts all trades, giving the Penguins time to deliberate.

This delay could work in Pittsburgh’s favor, allowing Dubas and his staff to explore all options and identify the best return for Rakell.By moving Rakell, the Penguins can acquire much-needed assets to build for the future while giving him an opportunity to thrive on a playoff-contending team. With the trade deadline approaching, Pittsburgh must seize the chance to maximize Rakell’s value and solidify its plans for the seasons ahead.