Two Penguins Urge Kyle Dubas Not to Trade Them Ahead of Deadline
Photo credit: TribLIVE Local - Tribune-Review
Rickard Rakell and Matt Grzelcyk really want to remain with the Penguins, and they have reportedly gone so far as to urge Kyle Dubas to not trade them this week.
As the NHL trade deadline approaches this Friday, Matt Grzelcyk and Rickard Rakell are the center of the most trade rumblings.
They have different situations, contracts, family, trade deadline marketplace value, but they have one thing in common: neither is looking to depart Pittsburgh.
"I love Pittsburgh. I love being part of this team," Rakell told the Post-Gazette after Tuesday's morning skate here at Ball Arena. "I want to stay. That's all I can say."
Rakell is still one of the top players available. The Penguins are willing to listen but not rushing to trade their top-line winger.
At 31, he has three years remaining on his $5 million-a-year contract and that type of contract is going to be a steal as the NHL salary cap increases. He is the team leader with 29 goals and second on the team with 53 points in 63 games.
Pittsburgh really does not want to remove another good asset from Sidney Crosby's roster, especially after sending Jake Guentzel away in March of last season.
The Penguins want to be competitive within the next two seasons
They really would love to be competitive by the 2026-27 season and not begin a full rebuild. It would take a powerful offer to deal away Rakell. With all of the trade chatter circulating, he is attempting to tune it out.
"I don't think anything can prepare you for what might happen," Rakell said Tuesday. "So it sounds cliche, but I'm just trying to focus on my game. I can't control what's happening around me. So not thinking about it is probably the best thing for me."
Grzelcyk, on the other hand, has no family with him as Rakell does, but does have a dog, however, he prefers to stay in Pittsburgh anyway. There have been no extension discussions, but he is open to hearing about it.
"A dog counts," he said with a laugh. "I don't know what I would do if I got traded. That's one of my biggest worries. It would just be him and my girlfriend back in Pittsburgh. We'll worry about that if it happens, but that would be devastating for me."
- Matt Grzelcyk
- Matt Grzelcyk
The two players sit out the clock on their fate, and with the deadline a mere 48 hours away, nerves and anxiousness are at an all-time high.
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