NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins’ $30 million winger suddenly linked to Canadiens as trade speculation intensifies this offseason
The Montreal Canadiens are still looking for more scoring as they shape their roster for next season, but the options are becoming increasingly limited. With free agency offering few proven top-six forwards, the club’s attention has naturally shifted toward the trade market. That search has now connected Montreal to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell, thanks to comments from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. While the veteran forward checks several boxes on the ice, questions about timing, roster construction, and trade cost make any potential deal far from straightforward.
Why are the Canadiens being linked with Rickard Rakell?
Rickard Rakell has quietly become one of the more realistic trade candidates in Pittsburgh. As Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas weighs ways to reshape an aging roster, experienced players with value around the league have naturally entered trade discussions. Rakell fits that profile.The 33-year-old still offers reliable offensive production and versatility. He posted 48 points in 60 games last season and has shown he can play effectively on either wing. His contract also remains attractive by today’s standards. Rakell carries a $5 million cap hit through the next two seasons, a figure many contenders could comfortably absorb for a proven top-six scorer.That combination caught Friedman’s attention when discussing possible destinations.“Someone else told me they thought it might be really a good fit in Montreal. And I have no idea if it’s even possible. One of those two Pittsburgh wingers, (Bryan) Rust or (Rickard) Rakell… I think those guys would have to approve.“But he looked at Montreal and he said, I thought with another scorer like one of those two guys, they might look pretty good,” Friedman said.From a hockey standpoint, the idea is understandable. Montreal has taken meaningful steps forward with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky leading its young core. Adding an experienced scorer could ease some of the offensive burden while giving the club another dependable option in the top six.
What could prevent a Rickard Rakell trade to Montreal?
The biggest challenge is that Montreal’s long-term plan may not match Rickard Rakell’s stage of his career.General manager Kent Hughes has consistently emphasized building around players whose best seasons will arrive alongside the team’s young core. Rakell remains productive, but at 33, he falls outside that timeline. Even with an affordable contract, Montreal must decide whether a short-term offensive boost justifies sacrificing assets meant for a longer competitive window.Pittsburgh’s asking price presents another hurdle. Dubas is not believed to be seeking draft picks or distant prospects. Instead, the Penguins want younger NHL-ready talent capable of contributing immediately alongside Sidney Crosby. That type of return would likely require Montreal to part with players it has been reluctant to move, particularly promising young roster pieces.Rakell also controls part of the process through his eight-team no-trade list, adding another layer of uncertainty.For now, the Canadiens’ interest appears consistent with Hughes exploring every available scoring option rather than signaling that a trade is close. Meanwhile, contenders such as Edmonton or Toronto may ultimately present a cleaner fit if Pittsburgh decides to move the veteran winger.
