Sabres Named Potential Suitor for Penguins Forward
The Sabres are being viewed as a potential suitor for this Penguins forward.
© Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Sabres Named Potential Suitor for Penguins ForwardOne of the Buffalo Sabres' top offseason objectives is adding a top-six winger. It is clear that their forward group needs a boost if they hope to put an end to their 13-year playoff drought in 2024-25.
Because of this, in a recent article for The Hockey News Penguins, Jacob Punturi listed the Sabres as a potential trade option for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell.
After missing the playoffs for the second year in a row, there is a possibility that the Penguins will make some changes to their group. Rakell has come up in the rumor mill in the past and had a bit of a down year, so perhaps a change of scenery could be in the cards.
Rakell would be an intriguing addition to a Sabres team looking to take that next step. When looking at a potential fit for him, he could work on their second line with Zach Benson and Dylan Cozens. He would also, of course, be a clear option for their power play.
Rakell would be more than a rental if the Sabres acquired him. The veteran winger carries a $5 million cap hit until the end of the 2027-28 season. In addition, he has some trade protection, carrying an eight-team no-trade list.
Rakell appeared in 70 games this season with the Penguins, posting 15 goals, 37 points, and a plus-4 rating. It was a bit of a tough year for his standards, but he is a prime bounce-back candidate for 2024-25. He had 28 goals and 60 points in 82 games just back in 2022-23.
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