Kyle Dubas sits in his Pittsburgh office with a dilemma that keeps him up at night. The Penguins missed the playoffs again, sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division. Veterans like Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust remain on the roster, but one name keeps surfacing in trade discussions: Rickard Rakell. With free agency halfway through and teams still reshaping their lineups, the right-winger has become Pittsburgh’s most valuable trade chip.
Which Teams Are Targeting Rickard Rakell This Summer?
The Penguins find themselves caught between two worlds. They’ve added pieces like Arturs Silovs, but haven’t committed to a full roster rebuild. Veterans like Rakell, Crosby, and Rust still anchor the lineup, giving Dubas valuable assets for the trade market. Among these names, Rakell stands out as the most likely to move.
According to analyst Dan Kingerski, four teams have emerged as the top destinations for Rakell: the Los Angeles Kings, Seattle Kraken, San Jose Sharks, and Detroit Red Wings. The right-winger carries three years remaining on his contract with a $5 million AAV, making him an attractive but expensive option.
The Kings face the biggest financial hurdle. With just $6.7 million in cap space, acquiring Rakell would require serious salary maneuvering. However, for a team that hasn’t made significant trade market moves yet, landing the Swedish forward could change everything. As Anže Kopitar approaches the twilight of his career, Rakell offers a potential replacement as the team’s primary scorer.
Rakell’s production speaks for itself. He’s coming off a 70-point campaign with 35 goals and 35 assists, which would immediately upgrade Los Angeles’ offense. The challenge lies in making the finances work.
How Do the Kraken and Sharks Stack Up as Destinations?
Seattle presents a more realistic scenario financially. The Kraken are making aggressive moves this offseason, and adding Rakell would cap off what’s already been a strong free agency period. Reports have linked them to Rakell and Jordan Kyrou, suggesting they target multiple impact forwards.
With upwards of $10 million in cap space, Seattle has the financial flexibility to make Rakell happen without major roster gymnastics. This positioning makes them a serious contender for his services.
Meanwhile, San Jose operates with the most financial freedom of any suitor. The Sharks boast more than $20 million in cap space, making them perhaps the most active team this offseason. They’ve already landed Michael Misa, the top forward prospect, with the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Adding Rakell would create a formidable top line while benefiting Will Smith, who’s expected to center the second unit. With Alex Wennberg and Adam Gaudette already in the top six, Rakell’s presence would give San Jose a legitimate playoff-caliber forward group. Their abundant cap space eliminates any financial concerns about making the deal work.
Detroit rounds out the quartet of interested teams. The Red Wings desperately need top-six scoring help, and Rakell’s sniper abilities would address that need immediately. They’ve already missed several targets this summer but remain linked to Erik Karlsson and Rakell.
While securing both players might prove challenging, landing either would boost Detroit’s playoff chances considerably. The organization recognizes that adding proven talent like Rakell could be the difference between another disappointing season and a legitimate postseason run.
Dubas faces pressure to maximize Rakell’s value as the trade market develops while the 32-year-old remains productive. With multiple teams showing serious interest and the cap space to make deals happen, Pittsburgh should have leverage in negotiations. The question remains which destination offers the best return for a player who could immediately impact any contender’s championship hopes.
