What Happened
The Pittsburgh Penguins are navigating a tough start to the 2025-26 season, currently holding a 6-10-2 record and sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. According to Pro Hockey Rumors, management is evaluating whether to move veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Both players have one year remaining on their contracts and have been available via trade for over a year. The report notes that Dubas previously held off on trades when the team was more competitive and the players had more contract years, but that leverage has now diminished significantly.
Key Details
- Pittsburgh is 6-10-2 and last in the Eastern Conference.
- Rust and Rakell have one year left on their deals.
- Rust is currently injured, while Rakell has been inconsistent.
- Dubas has not received offers he deemed acceptable in the past.
- The team has over $59MM in cap space for next year.
- Erik Karlsson is also identified as a potential trade asset.
What It Means
The Penguins are in a difficult position where selling low may be their only option to acquire assets for a rebuild. While the return for aging veterans like Rust and Rakell will likely be modest compared to summer transactions involving younger players, it could still provide meaningful pieces. The team possesses significant cap space and draft capital, which, combined with any trade returns, forms the basis of their future strategy, though the value is lower than if moves had been made earlier.
What's Next
Management must decide whether to initiate trade calls for Rust and Rakell before their value drops further. If traded, the returns will likely be marginal but helpful for a retool or rebuild. The team may also consider moving Erik Karlsson as part of a broader sell-off.