Penguins & Kings Looking Like Trade Partners

The Penguins & LA Kings could be trade partners this summer

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be one of the teams to watch as we head towards the trade and free agent frenzy in the NHL. Just about everything that's not nailed down in Pittsburgh appears to be available, as noted by insider Marco D'Amico.

In the end, their main goal has been to wipe the entire roster of key veterans (outside of Crosby, Malkin and Letang) by July 1 to get younger and free up cap space.

This means they are listening to offers on the likes of Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.

Per insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Kings held discussions with the Penguins earlier this year, and "Maybe L.A. re-engages with them now with (new general manager) Kenny Holland at the helm."

The Los Angeles Kings have long been interested in Rakell, and as Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now writes, "Unlike many trade rumors, this one has some legs. We heard rumblings in February, though nothing solid enough to be reportable, that LA had an interest in Rakell. Further, LA does have some young players who could interest (Penguins GM) Dubas."

Who could the Kings offer to the Penguins for Rickard Rakell?

Kingerski went on to suggest names like Alex Turcotte and Alex Laferriere.

"Based on (Holland's) history in Detroit and Edmonton, Rakell would seem to be the type of player that new Kings GM Ken Holland likes", he added.

Rakell, 32, had a career year this past season, with personal highs of 35 goals and 70 points. He averaged 19:18 time on ice per night. He has three years remaining at a very reasonable $5 million cap hit. In a 13-year career, the Swedish winger has 236 goals and 519 points in 802 NHL games.