The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t waving the white flag on their NHL season. Despite sitting eight points behind the WC2 spot in the Eastern Conference, Sidney Crosby and the team’s hope remain strong. To keep morale high, the organization successfully retained a key player at the trade deadline. According to reports, they did so by demanding a substantial return from any team looking to make a deal.
The Penguins have won two consecutive games as they enter a key matchup against the St. Louis Blues in Pittsburgh. Looking to make it three in a row and potentially climb back on the Playoffs race, Crosby and the Penguins will need to put another strong performance at home.
The Penguins will have their leading goalscorer, Rickard Rakell, in the lineup, as they managed to keep him in The City of Bridges despite heavy interest during the trade deadline. Rakell’s 29 goals are unmatched on Mike Sullivan’s roster, while his 56-point total is only behind Crosby’s 70 in the 2024-25 NHL season.
The Pens were able to keep their core intact during March 7’s movement frenzy in the NHL, and as recent reports have emerged, it was clear they did so by heavily high-balling any team asking about Rakell.
Rickard Rakell #67 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on while playing in the first period of a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on October 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli during the Daily Face-Off’s Rundown, “Pittsburgh’s ask on Rickard Rakell at the deadline was each team’s best prospect and two 1st round picks.”
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Goals come at a price
NHL games are won with goals, and Rakell has proven he can provide goals in abundance, However, the asking price set by the Penguins seemed way too high, especially when considering other players who were moved for much lower costs.
The hefty price tag indicates two key factors about Kyle Dubas and the Penguins’ front office: on the one hand, they were looking to take advantage of any desperate team willing to overpay during the deadline. And on second stage, it shows Pittsburgh had no plans to move on from Rakell, whatsoever.
Pittsburgh Penguins Center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on during the second period in the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021.
Whether they miraculously make the Stanley Cup Playoffs or not, Rakell isn’t leaving Crosby’s side at PPG Paints Arena. Rakell is under contract for three more seasons after this campaign comes to a close, and the Penguins still find great use for him in Steel City.
