Report: Penguins Star Rejects Trade To Blackhawks
“I heard a rumor that Rakell turned down a trade to go to Chicago, and that’s why they brought up, who is the kid they brought up, [Rutger] McGroarty,” Yandle said on Tuesday’s episode, which he co-hosts with Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney.
Yandle said the Blackhawks tried to acquire Rakell during Pittsburgh’s recent West Coast trip, and that the Penguins recalled McGroarty because a deal looked possible.
Holes In The Rumor
The Hockey News’ Kelsey Surmacz pointed out a couple of problems with the story.
First, McGroarty’s recall lined up with Ville Koivunen being day-to-day with a lower-body injury, with Pittsburgh needing another healthy forward on the road.
Second, Rakell’s contract includes an eight-team no-trade list that was likely submitted to management well before this season. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas would have known whether Chicago was on it before getting anywhere close to a deal.
Keith Yandle said on today’s Spittin’ Chiclits that the Blackhawks tried to trade for Rickard Rakell but the player didn’t want to go…so the trade got axed. #Blackhawks
— Ovi (@OviClapBomb) November 10, 2026
One Penguins reporter added that if a trade had been that close, Rakell likely wouldn’t have played over the weekend, and Yandle remains the only media member reporting it.
There is one way it could make sense. Dubas could have asked Rakell whether he’d accept a move to Chicago even if the Blackhawks were on his list, and Rakell could have said no.
Both Teams Need Changes
The rumor fits with what both teams have going on.
Pittsburgh is off to a 7-10-2 start, and plenty of fans want the Penguins to start selling off longer-tenured veterans for assets.
Rakell, 33, has six goals and 11 points in 19 games this season. He has two seasons left, including this one, on a six-year contract that pays him $5 million a year, and The Athletic’s Chris Johnston ranked him 10th on his latest trade board.
Keith Yandle: Actually, I heard a rumor that [Rickard] Rakell turned down a trade to go to Chicago. And that's why they brought up, who is the kid they brought up, McGroarty. #Blackhawks #LetsGoPens
— The Mug NHL (@TheMugNHL) November 10, 2026
Chicago is also desperate for offense. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the Blackhawks are scouring the trade market for help, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has said they’ve been aggressively looking for scoring.
If Rakell does stay off the table for Chicago, Bryan Rust could be the next Penguin to watch, since he has no no-trade or no-movement clause.
