Penguins Urged to Hold on to Two Key Trade Candidates
The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in a unique position this off-season. While most teams in the NHL are focused on improving their rosters, many free agents have re-signed with their current teams, and top trade candidates have stayed put—at least for now. This includes Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. 
However, Pittsburgh stands apart from the pack. Unlike many teams, they seem open to trading key pieces in exchange for future assets, positioning themselves as one of the few sellers in the current trade market. This gives the Penguins significant leverage as they explore their options.
Trading Rust and/or Rakell would make sense for Pittsburgh, especially as their chances of making the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs seem slim. In fact, they have a legitimate shot at winning the NHL Draft Lottery next spring, potentially securing the top pick in the 2026 draft, which could bring them star prospect Gavin McKenna from Penn State.
Despite the potential benefits, not everyone is in favor of trading these veterans. Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey has argued that the Penguins should keep both Rakell and Rust. He points to team captain Sidney Crosby as a major reason for retaining them.
“The goal is to be competitive enough to stay in games but also lose enough to improve their lottery odds for 2026. With Rakell and Rust still on the roster, the Penguins can achieve that balance while giving Crosby the best shot at having at least one more productive season in Pittsburgh,” Tansey wrote.
Penguins Face Improved Rebuilding Teams
Tansey also highlighted the increased competition at the bottom of the standings, noting that several of the league’s weakest teams have improved this off-season. He specifically pointed to two teams that made significant moves: the San Jose Sharks and the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Sharks were one of the busiest teams in free agency, adding players like Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, and Dmitry Orlov. Additionally, they traded for Ryan Reaves and Alex Nedeljkovic, further bolstering their roster.
Meanwhile, the Flyers signed goaltender Dan Vladar and forward Christian Dvorak. Their biggest move, however, was trading for Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks, which significantly upgrades their offense.
Rust and Rakell’s Trade Value Could Peak
The counterpoint to Tansey’s view is that this might be the best time for the Penguins to trade Rust and Rakell, as their trade value could be at its highest now. Both are still productive players, but the landscape of the NHL could shift in the coming year, possibly diminishing their trade value.
While both players will still hold some value, particularly Rakell as a versatile right-handed shot capable of playing center, the Penguins may not get the same return next year. Both players are signed for three more seasons, which adds value, but if the market becomes more balanced between buyers and sellers, Pittsburgh may lose leverage.
The Penguins now face a decision: should they hold off and wait, or make a move while Rust and Rakell are still among the most attractive trade options?
No Comment! Be the first one.