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massive update on the New York Rangers acquiring star from division rivals: per Friedman

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Joshua Deeds
July 13, 2025 (1:30 PM)

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The New York Rangers could work the market in order to improve the top-six. According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Penguins could end up moving on from forward Rickard Rakell, and GM Chris Drury could steal him from their divisional rivals.

Rickard Rakell has been a great addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. He's been a regular fixture in the top-six, slotting in alongside Evgenii Malkin and Ville Koivunen.

While this year, he's been a consistent producer scoring 70 points (35-35), and despite his stellar production, he could be on his way out, as the Penguins clean slate for their rebuild.

Rakell is in year 4 of his 6-year, $5 million deal he signed in July 2022.

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If the Penguins are eager to move on from Rakell and reduce their salary obligations, GM Chris Drury should make it a point to help out.

The former 1st-round draft pick (30th, 2011) by the Anaheim Ducks has seen his better days behind him, but he's still a capable producer even now.

But for GM Kyle Dubas, the price to acquire Rakell could be quite high, according to Chris Johnston.

While there have been all sorts of rumors around Rakell, it could take a lot for the team to move him. According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, the price for Rakell in any deal is very high.

So, GM Chris Drury will have to figure out what he's willing to sacrifice for someone like Rakell.

He could slot in on the top-two lines and produce at the same clip if we're lucky, but like Artemi Panarin, he'll be on the negative side of his 30s when he could decline as time goes on.

If Kyle Dubas wants a haul, he should consider retaining salary in order to make the deal sweeter, all the while the Rangers get a better deal, as Rakell only has two years left on his deal.

Previously on NY Hockey Insider

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New York Rangers prospect makes a massive move to reshape his professional career

Rangers Insider Shares New York Rangers Projected Lineup's to Begin The 2025 Season

POLL
JUILLET 13 \| 219 ANSWERS massive update on the New York Rangers acquiring star from division rivals: per Friedman If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers, would you trade for forward Rickard Rakell of the Penguins?
Yes	100	45.7 %
No	119	54.3 %
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massive update on the New York Rangers acquiring star from division rivals: per Friedman

The New York Rangers could work the market in order to improve the top-six. According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Penguins could end up moving on from forward Rickard Rakell, and GM Chris Drury could steal him from their divisional rivals.

If you were GM Chris Drury of the New York Rangers, would you trade for forward Rickard Rakell of the Penguins?