4 Teams Linked To Penguins' Rakell

The Pittsburgh Penguins haven't made any big moves this offseason so far, but that doesn't mean something isn't coming and a domino effect could follow. Rickard Rakell is a player that multiple teams are interested in, especially after a 35-goal, 70-point season on the non-playoff Penguins. He has three years left on his deal at $5 million AAV. He won't come cheap, but is a game-changing scorer for any team he plays on. These are four teams that have been linked to him.

Los Angeles Kings

The LA Kings made a handful of poor signings and did not get better this offseason so far. Acquiring Rakell and boosting the offense could help them turn that around. Alex Turcotte is a young player in trade rumors and he may not even get in every game with the newly constructed forward group. Rakell would more than solidify the top-6 and give the Kings three 35-goal scorers in the lineup from last season. The team needs to win now, so packaging a bit of the future is a must for a player like Rakell right now.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have over $4 million in projected cap space, but would likely need to send a roster player back to Pittsburgh in a deal. Given where the Penguins are, Ridly Greig or Fabian Zetterlund would be a piece they would be interested in getting back, while the Senators would most definitely be more interested in moving David Perron in the last year of his deal. It won't come cheap to acquire Rakell, but would give Ottawa more scoring and more physicality, combined with skill, at the top of their lineup.

Seattle Kraken

Are the Seattle Kraken done yet? Possibly not. They have over $12 million in projected cap space still after all of their moves and it has really been an effort to change things up and make a push to get back into the playoffs. Jordan Eberle is 35 years old and will potentially continue to decline this season as we saw it happen in 2024-25. There is still room to make the forward group better and space to go along with it. I think Tye Kartye or Jani Nyman might be a piece asked for in return for Rakell and the Kraken should jump at that opportunity. There are plenty of other young players coming through the system soon.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks need a game-changer and didn't get it in free agency. That should signal another year of rebuilding, even if Rakell is targeted and brought in from the Penguins. The Blackhawks have more than enough assets that Pittsburgh would be interested in to get a deal done, but it would be seen as a waste if Chicago doesn't make a quicker turnaround and at least make the playoffs in the next three years. Rakell can score goals and that is what is needed most in the Blackhawks lineup to help the team make strides towards competitiveness.