Keith Yandle says Rickard Rakell turned down a trade to the Blackhawks, a rumor that fits the Penguins' sell-off.
The former NHL defenseman put it plainly: "Actually, I heard a rumor that Rakell turned down a trade to go to Chicago." Yandle then connected it to a roster move, saying that's why Pittsburgh brought up Rutger McGroarty.
That link is Yandle's read, not a confirmed fact. What we can say is that McGroarty has played 2 games this season, including Wednesday night in San Jose, where the Penguins beat the Sharks 3-2 in a shootout. He logged 10:12 and put one shot on goal.
Rakell was in that game too. He picked up an assist in 18:22 of ice time, his tenth point of the season.
Rakell has a limited no-trade clause, which means he gave Pittsburgh a list of teams he won't accept a deal to. If Chicago was on it, or if he simply used his say, that's his right. The Blackhawks are 4-13-1, have lost six straight and sit on 9 points. Only the Canucks, with 7, are lower in the sheet.
Pittsburgh's own record was 6-10-2 before Wednesday's win. Why would a 33-year-old winger sign off on a move from one losing room to another?
Why Rakell's no only delays the Penguins' sell-off
Because the underlying problem hasn't moved. Earlier this week, we reported that Kyle Dubas named his price on Rakell and Rust, and the Penguins GM said he'll deal if a team gets there.
Rakell's numbers are 6 goals and 4 assists through 18 games, with a $5,000,000 cap hit that runs through 2027-28. That's a movable piece for a contender that wants a top-six winger, and a blocked deal to Chicago doesn't change who Dubas can call next.
Rust complicates things for a different reason. He's listed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, expected out until at least Dec 5, and has played only 7 games. A hurt winger is hard to sell.
That leaves Rakell as the cleaner trade chip, and Erik Karlsson as the bigger one. The 36-year-old defenseman has 18 points in 18 games and played 27:04 in San Jose, and we looked at Karlsson as the Penguins' top trade chip on Wednesday.
Rakell had every reason to say no to Chicago. Dubas has every reason to keep shopping him, and a team that is this far down in the standings shouldn't be holding veterans for a push that isn't coming.
Pittsburgh hosts the Senators on Saturday, Nov 14. Whether another team makes Rakell's list of acceptable destinations is the next thing to watch.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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