NHL trade deadline:
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired some extra firepower because the workforce gears up for one more real pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh acquired ahead Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks in alternate for Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon, a prospect and 2022 second-round choose, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Rakell has recorded 16 objectives and 28 factors in 51 video games this season.
The 28-year-old energy ahead has been purported to have been on the commerce marketplace for years as he can play on both wing or at heart, present top-six scoring worth and is a bodily imposing ahead who has confirmed extraordinarily troublesome to field out in entrance of the web.
Some might view Rakell as a rental as he’s slated to develop into an unrestricted free agent after this season, however with the Penguins’ core nicely into their mid-30s, it’s doubtless Pittsburgh will attempt to ink him to a long-term deal this summer season. He’s at present coping with a wrist damage, however Rakell will instantly issue into Pittsburgh’s top-nine upon returning to the lineup, and supply additional lineup flexibility among the many ahead corps.
Though his uncooked output has declined this season, Rakell notched consecutive 30-goal seasons with the Geese in 2017 and 2018, and he ought to right away profit from superior linemates.
Whereas quite a lot of the Geese prime prospects — notably Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale — have graduated to the NHL, the membership continues to be present process a rebuild and it’s doubtless that Rakell, who’s nearing the top of his prime years, didn’t issue into their long-term plans.
Rakell reportedly had quite a lot of suitors, together with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers.
Extra from Yahoo Sports activities
