I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
Amen.
I doubt we will trade all 3 of Rakell/Rust/Bunting, so whoever is left can play with Sid next season. If two of them are gone, the other W can be filled by Geno or UFA or trade.
If KD gets a solid offer, you take it and deal with the hole next season. There are other ways to keep Sid happy.
One other point on Rakell possibly being dealt...there isn't a lot out there in terms of solid UFA rentals. Rantanen traded, Marner, Boeser, Marchand, Ehlers aren't going to be dumped by playoff teams.
Brock Nelson, Kuzmenko (hearing Flyers may flip him), Ryan Donato, Zucker...that's about it. There are some other guys, centers, that might be in demand, but, if Rakell is available, he is hands down the best forward available at the trade deadline.
I've got to imagine several teams making significant offers for him.
One other point on Rakell possibly being dealt...there isn't a lot out there in terms of solid UFA rentals. Rantanen traded, Marner, Boeser, Marchand, Ehlers aren't going to be dumped by playoff teams.
Brock Nelson, Kuzmenko (hearing Flyers may flip him), Ryan Donato, Zucker...that's about it. There are some other guys, centers, that might be in demand, but, if Rakell is available, he is hands down the best forward available at the trade deadline.
I've got to imagine several teams making significant offers for him.
Another option with term could be McCann. Saw a few posts that he could be available. Seems like there’s a lot more rumors this year. A lot of teams think they can win and the cap is going up.
It’s a good year to be a seller. If there ever is one.
I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
I get what you’re saying and definitely feel we have to bring in young top 6 forwards as quickly as possible. But, unless someone is breaking the bank for Rakell, I’d prefer we keep him. With the cap rising, he’s a steal the next 3 years. Malkin’s gone after next season, we need some quality vets to groom the young kids coming in.
I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
I get what you’re saying and definitely feel we have to bring in young top 6 forwards as quickly as possible. But, unless someone is breaking the bank for Rakell, I’d prefer we keep him. With the cap rising, he’s a steal the next 3 years. Malkin’s gone after next season, we need some quality vets to groom the young kids coming in.
This is why I'm a supporter of trading ONE of Rust and Rakell
I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
I get what you’re saying and definitely feel we have to bring in young top 6 forwards as quickly as possible. But, unless someone is breaking the bank for Rakell, I’d prefer we keep him. With the cap rising, he’s a steal the next 3 years. Malkin’s gone after next season, we need some quality vets to groom the young kids coming in.
This is why I'm a supporter of trading ONE of Rust and Rakell
I'm on board with that. I still think Rust is the one they keep because he does everything well. In essence, he's the perfect Sullivan forward.
I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
I get what you’re saying and definitely feel we have to bring in young top 6 forwards as quickly as possible. But, unless someone is breaking the bank for Rakell, I’d prefer we keep him. With the cap rising, he’s a steal the next 3 years. Malkin’s gone after next season, we need some quality vets to groom the young kids coming in.
Out of curiosity, what would you consider breaking the bank?
For me, I think if there is a 1st involved, I'm listening and most likely make a deal.
I'd prefer some of the 1st + offers I've heard discussed, but another 1st round pick is too important to our rebuild to pass up IMO.
Might even consider a 2nd if there is a REALLY decent player or prospect coming along with it, but outside of that, anything less than a 1st and I would rather just keep him as well.
I see no point in keeping anyone that is over the age of 30 at this point other than Sid, Geno, and Letang. And honestly, if Letang wanted to play his final years in Montreal I would be fine with trading him too. Geno has already said he wants to stay with Sid in Pittsburgh, and I think he is probably done after his contract is over next season.
If we can get young assets (prospects or picks) for the other guys we should be all over that. In the summer, the only UFA signings for players over the age of 30 should be 1-year deals with the intention of trading at the next deadline.
I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…
I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.
Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.
Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.
Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.
I get what you’re saying and definitely feel we have to bring in young top 6 forwards as quickly as possible. But, unless someone is breaking the bank for Rakell, I’d prefer we keep him. With the cap rising, he’s a steal the next 3 years. Malkin’s gone after next season, we need some quality vets to groom the young kids coming in.
Out of curiosity, what would you consider breaking the bank?
For me, I think if there is a 1st involved, I'm listening and most likely make a deal.
I'd prefer some of the 1st + offers I've heard discussed, but another 1st round pick is too important to our rebuild to pass up IMO.
Might even consider a 2nd if there is a REALLY decent player or prospect coming along with it, but outside of that, anything less than a 1st and I would rather just keep him as well.
Definitely a 1st and a legit NHL ready young player. Anything less and I’d rather keep him. I wouldn’t be opposed to moving him in the Summer if the right deal doesn’t come along now.
Winnipeg is in an interesting position though. They have only 6 forwards signed for next season so they have a boatload of cap space: around 43M if the cap rises to 95.5M as predicted (Rakell might be an option for them to replace Ehlers in the offseason). Vilardi has been playing first line minutes with Winnipeg's top forwards Scheifele and Connor and is averaging almost a point per game en route to the best season of his career. He'll probably get resigned as he's still a RFA. He's eligible for arbitration, so it's not entirely in Winnipeg hands.
McTavish has been less productive, so I can see why his name might come up in rumours. 13 goals and 27 points in 48 games might be low, but he's 4th in the team in points as nobody in Anaheim is really putting up points at a much greater rate. Terry is their leading scorer with 39 points in 49 games. Even though he's also a RFA this season, he doesn't have arbitration rights as he's just finishing his ELC and will only become and UFA in 2029. Anaheim would not probably move on from him without getting another young center back. Dostal's contract is also up his summer, so Verbeek will likely focus on extending both players.
I would trade Rakell for anything basically, keeping him makes zero sense. By keeping him we get no extra assets, and all our picks we have will probably be a bit worse since he will make us better, and by that, get a worse draft position on every pick we have.
We are likely to trade away Rangers 1st rounder? Do we have another one for 2025? I remember we have amount of picks..
So some want to trade away the last 2 decent wingers we have now and then in offseason try to make a quick retool and jump on last chance to go at SC?? I dont think thats logical..
I want to trade away pretty much everyone except first line of Rakell - Sid - Rusty - 85% of roster could be available - but also I want to keep all best prospects aka Murashov, Broz, Koivunen, Pickering, Brunicke etc.
Try to offload :
Karlsson, Graves, Grzelcyk, Jarry, Nedeljkovic, Bunting, Acciari, Nieto, even Glass, Hayes, Beauvillier, Shea etc.
Last edited by Pens4Life on Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
We are trading away Rangers 1st rounder? Do we have another one for 2025? I remember we have nice amount of picks..
So some want to trade away the last 2 decent wingers we have now and then in offseason try to make a quick retool and jump on last chance to go at SC?? I dont think thats logical..
I want to trade away pretty much everyone except first line of Rakell - Sid - Rusty - 85% of roster could be available - but also I want to keep all best prospects aka Murashov, Broz, Koivunen, Pickering, Brunicke etc.
Try to offload :
Karlsson, Graves, Grzelcyk, Jarry, Nedeljkovic, Bunting, Acciari, Nieto, even Glass, Hayes, Beauvillier, Shea etc.
I want to trade away everything we can, including Rust and Rakell, but not Sid. And not try a retool, I can except to suck next season so that we have even better picks in the 2026 draft, and hopefully some more picks from the trades to.
I see zero reason to keep Rust and Rakell, the only thing that will do is making our own pick worse, I rather have a top5 pick in 2026 than a 10-15 pick.
We are trading away Rangers 1st rounder? Do we have another one for 2025? I remember we have nice amount of picks..
So some want to trade away the last 2 decent wingers we have now and then in offseason try to make a quick retool and jump on last chance to go at SC?? I dont think thats logical..
I want to trade away pretty much everyone except first line of Rakell - Sid - Rusty - 85% of roster could be available - but also I want to keep all best prospects aka Murashov, Broz, Koivunen, Pickering, Brunicke etc.
Try to offload :
Karlsson, Graves, Grzelcyk, Jarry, Nedeljkovic, Bunting, Acciari, Nieto, even Glass, Hayes, Beauvillier, Shea etc.
Problem is, half of those in the offload category are going to cost assets to get rid of. With that list, we'd be lucky to break even with what we'd need to send out and what we'd be getting back. Not that I'm advocating against that, I'm all for clearing out players that aren't in the long-term plans. It just doesn't help bringing in assets.
If Dubas can pull of something like Rakell to LAK for Clarke + a 1st, I think you have to take that. We could turn right around and trade that 1st for a top 6 winger or bring one in in free agency, and we also have a solid young D prospect.
Rust is a bit different I think because of his Pens legacy and relationship with Sid. I'd still move him for the right package, but for me, it would have to be a REALLY good package, and both Rusty & Sid would have to be onboard.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Or new, young NHL wingers that we acquire. Or another big name UFA that we acquire should we clear out a lot of the dead weight.
I think this is what people need to understand....we're not going to trade Rakell, Rust, and Bunting and have Crosby skating with Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbett. Those guys will go out, new guys will come in. Some may be young, some may not be. Imagine moving out Jarry, EK65, and Graves, and signing Marner to a big UFA deal. Do I think it happens? Absolutely not, but, let's also not worry that if Rust and Rakell go, there are zero replacements in the NHL via trade or UFA.
They could keep everyone and sign Bennet (7 year x $8.5mil) and Chychrun (7year x $9.5mil). Perhaps end with 4OA and select Martone. Signing RFAs. All would fit under the cap with about $1mil of cap space. (Including buried Jarry)
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Or new, young NHL wingers that we acquire. Or another big name UFA that we acquire should we clear out a lot of the dead weight.
I think this is what people need to understand....we're not going to trade Rakell, Rust, and Bunting and have Crosby skating with Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbett. Those guys will go out, new guys will come in. Some may be young, some may not be. Imagine moving out Jarry, EK65, and Graves, and signing Marner to a big UFA deal. Do I think it happens? Absolutely not, but, let's also not worry that if Rust and Rakell go, there are zero replacements in the NHL via trade or UFA.
Yea, I agree. We should also remember that a lot of players that play with Sid get elevated stats. Parlaying that elevated value into younger assets is a win for the organization. Guys like Rust and Rakell are complimentary players. Let's keep accruing assets and get this ship turned back around.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Or new, young NHL wingers that we acquire. Or another big name UFA that we acquire should we clear out a lot of the dead weight.
I think this is what people need to understand....we're not going to trade Rakell, Rust, and Bunting and have Crosby skating with Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbett. Those guys will go out, new guys will come in. Some may be young, some may not be. Imagine moving out Jarry, EK65, and Graves, and signing Marner to a big UFA deal. Do I think it happens? Absolutely not, but, let's also not worry that if Rust and Rakell go, there are zero replacements in the NHL via trade or UFA.
Yea, I agree. We should also remember that a lot of players that play with Sid get elevated stats. Parlaying that elevated value into younger assets is a win for the organization. Guys like Rust and Rakell are complimentary players. Let's keep accruing assets and get this ship turned back around.
Watched Rakell in the Four Nations All Star Game.. he's worth it. People said similar things about Guentzel. Honestly Rakell isn't that far off from that. It's not Conor Sheary.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Or new, young NHL wingers that we acquire. Or another big name UFA that we acquire should we clear out a lot of the dead weight.
I think this is what people need to understand....we're not going to trade Rakell, Rust, and Bunting and have Crosby skating with Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbett. Those guys will go out, new guys will come in. Some may be young, some may not be. Imagine moving out Jarry, EK65, and Graves, and signing Marner to a big UFA deal. Do I think it happens? Absolutely not, but, let's also not worry that if Rust and Rakell go, there are zero replacements in the NHL via trade or UFA.
Yea, I agree. We should also remember that a lot of players that play with Sid get elevated stats. Parlaying that elevated value into younger assets is a win for the organization. Guys like Rust and Rakell are complimentary players. Let's keep accruing assets and get this ship turned back around.
Watched Rakell in the Four Nations All Star Game.. he's worth it. People said similar things about Guentzel. Honestly Rakell isn't that far off from that. It's not Conor Sheary.
Yea, he looked good. He had a good screen on the first Sweden goal. We need him and EK to have an incredible tournament.
I feel like EK has been much better this season, and he's been getting better as it's progressed. He might not be at 100 point level but he's been driving offense really well, and his usual defensive lapses aside, he's been as solid as he's capable of in his own end. I thought he had a good game last night, too. I would love having him if the Pens were in the top 4 or 5 teams in the East but since they aren't, I see his value increasing as this season moves along. Combine the cap going up, only 2 years left on a deal where the Pens could retain, and they may just fetch some good assets for him either at the deadline or in the summer.
I've really liked Rakell all season. I've said before that I'd lean toward keeping him (for this season anyway) unless someone comes in with a fantastic offer.
Thats my concern, I think Sid could be on board for partial quick rebuild, but losing both his wingers and more, I dont think he would like that at all.
He would have wingers, but they would be young, unproven ones.
Or new, young NHL wingers that we acquire. Or another big name UFA that we acquire should we clear out a lot of the dead weight.
I think this is what people need to understand....we're not going to trade Rakell, Rust, and Bunting and have Crosby skating with Mark Donk and Buzz Flibbett. Those guys will go out, new guys will come in. Some may be young, some may not be. Imagine moving out Jarry, EK65, and Graves, and signing Marner to a big UFA deal. Do I think it happens? Absolutely not, but, let's also not worry that if Rust and Rakell go, there are zero replacements in the NHL via trade or UFA.
Yea, I agree. We should also remember that a lot of players that play with Sid get elevated stats. Parlaying that elevated value into younger assets is a win for the organization. Guys like Rust and Rakell are complimentary players. Let's keep accruing assets and get this ship turned back around.
They are not just complimentary players.. they would both still have good numbers on any NHL team and play top 6 minutes.
