Penguins' Asking Price for Rakell and Rust Revealed as Maple Leafs Explore Options
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider David Pagnotta, the Pittsburgh Penguins have set their price for both Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, while Toronto mulls their trade options.
The Pittsburgh Penguins came into the 2025 season without many expectations, although a brand new coach and a legacy start from veterans like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, but what else is new when it comes to those two future Hall of Famers.
A 6-2-0 start has led them to a surprising 2nd place start to the season, and while it might not be sustainable, there is hope for the future no doubt.
However, there is still a huge chance the team wants to hedge their bets on getting a top draft pick, and might be willing to dish off assets the moment things go sour, and according to one insider; that price is going to be high.
Insider Names Price For Pair of Penguins Veterans
David Pagnotta appeared on the Sekeres and Price Show on Thursday and spoke about what Pittsburgh is going to charge buyers, specifically for two of their most sought after veterans, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust:
You're talking about a top tier prospect, a first round pick and an additional asset, that might be on the low end depending on the time of year for either Rakell or Rust.
Seems like Kyle Dubas isn't going to let anyone go for less than a king's ransom and that could end up harming his chances of getting a deal done.
But one team who might be willing to part with those assets are the Toronto Maple Leafs, as much as fans might not want them to considering the busts we've seen over the years.
Why Toronto Could Acquire Pittsburgh's Rust or Rakell
However they do hold top tier prospects like Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, Miroslav Holinka, and even NCAA graduates like Luke Haymes or John Prokop.
Toronto only has one first round pick left but could try and convince Dubas to take their 2027 second round pick or even package their 2027/28 picks together.
Additional assets could include names like Nick Robertson (a Dubas pick) and Dennis Hildeby, who just signed a team-friendly extension and would give the Penguins a potential future starter.
But who fits in better? At this point, Toronto needs anyone to give them an influx of offense, but Rakell certainly fits the mould of a Brad Treliving player, as he hits like a tank, scores tons of goals and is over 6'0.
For his career, the Swedish forward has 527 points in 810 games (239 goals, 288 assists) and is coming off his best season ever where he had 35 goals and 70 points.
Rakell isn't expensive at only $5-million for the next few seasons, but his 8-team no trade clause makes things a little murky especially if the Maple Leafs are on there.
But you've gotta spend money (and assets) to win championships, and while it hasn't worked out in the past, it shouldn't stop Toronto from trying to get the star they desperately need.
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