Penguins Receive Heavy Trade Interest for Rust, Rakell Expected This Summer

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been receiving significant trade interest in veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell following the 2024-25 NHL season, with league sources expecting at least one to be traded this summer. Both players set career highs recently, with Rakell scoring 35 goals and 70 points, and Rust netting 31 goals and 65 points, but the Penguins are cautious about trading them due to their remaining contract terms and their importance to Sidney Crosby's line. General manager Kyle Dubas has indicated no urgent need to trade either, preferring to potentially wait until the trade deadline to maximize value, though calls have been ongoing since last season. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes expressed interest but later signed free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, and other suitors such as the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken have been mentioned as possible landing spots, with Detroit highlighted as a particularly good fit due to their need for a top-six forward and cap space. The NHL free-agent market for wingers was weak this offseason, increasing the importance of trades to improve rosters, and the Penguins have been active in free agency by adding depth, including Anthony Mantha. The Penguins missed the playoffs for three straight seasons, prompting speculation that moving Rust or Rakell could be part of a rebuild strategy, though Sidney Crosby remains off limits in any trade discussions.