Penguins' Top Scoring Forward Named As 4 Nations Replacement

Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has reportedly replaced Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson on Team Sweden's 4 Nations roster

It looks like another Pittsburgh Penguins player will be joining Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off.

According to a report by Per Bjurman, forward Rickard Rakell has been named as a replacement for Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson, who is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Rakell, 31, leads the Penguins in goals this season with 23 and is third in goals among all Swedish players in the NHL, behind just Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander and Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe. He has 45 points in 53 games on the season and is on pace to break his career-high of 34 goals and and 69 points set during his 2017-18 season with the Anaheim Ducks. 

Many thought that he was going to be named to Sweden's roster from the jump on Dec, 4. Rakell expressed some disappointment in being left off of the initial roster, and he has been lighting it up ever since. 

In the 26 games since his snub, he has put up 13 goals and 29 points.

Rakell joins a formidable Swedish roster that will also feature teammate Erik Karlsson, who was named as an assistant captain. He figures to slot somewhere in the middle-six, likely as a direct lineup replacement for William Karlsson.

William Karlsson has seven goals and 18 points in 38 games for the Golden Knights this season.