Kyle Dubas Reveals the Real Reason Why Penguins Didn't Trade Star Forward
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Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas revealed why he elected not to move Rickard Rakell today.
Kyle Dubas was busy today as were the general managers of just about every team in the league.
Almost every team made at least one deal today, and Dubas made several, including one that sent Cody Glass to the New Jersey Devils.
One player that remained with the team though is Rickard Rakell, despite rumors that he would get moved before the deadline.
Rakell has 29 goals and 53 points in 63 games this season, already approaching a career high in goals, with points not too far behind either.
Considering the prices players were going for today, many Penguins fans were expecting to get a huge haul for the Swedish sniper, but alas a trade never materialized.
After the deadline passed, Dubas explained why he chose to hold onto him, emphasizing how much he means to the organization and how much he wants to be part of the solution in Pittsburgh.
"He is a big part of our program. I think when you have players that perform that way on a daily basis... and respond when things don't go well... when you have them signed and they want to be a part of helping bring the team back into contention, you don't just push that out the door. You have to do what's right for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and having Rickard Rakell as part of the Pittsburgh Penguins was the right thing to do when we measured it up against everything."
The Penguins fanbase was disappointed as a whole that Rakell didn't get moved, but a few reminded fans that he still has term left on his contract and could be easily moved over the summer, or at next year's deadline.
As such, the Penguins are guaranteed not to lose him for nothing in free agency.
That being said, it seems like a player of his caliber could have gotten at least a 1st round draft pick today as players like Anthony Beauvillier garnered a 2nd round pick.
Perhaps Rakell will get traded at the draft this summer as the Penguins continue to move in the rebuilding direction. Stay tuned to find out.
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