On October 28, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated Rickard Rakell’s goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. Two of the most talked-about names in NHL trade rumors this summer are Pittsburgh Penguins’ top wingers Rickard Rakell and Brian Rust. This buzz is fueled by their impressive performances last season.
Both players, in their early 30s—Rakell at 32 and Rust younger than that—had career-high seasons in 2024-25. Rakell finished just behind team captain Sidney Crosby with 35 goals and 70 points, while Rust wasn’t far off with 31 goals and 65 points. Both demonstrated strong scoring ability and impressive chemistry with Crosby on the ice.
As the new season approaches, it’s likely both will remain with the Penguins regardless of trading talk, especially given the upcoming training camp starting in a month. They remain valuable assets to the team, but they could also offer significant value to other contenders if they maintain their high level of play.
Looking at each player individually:
Brian Rust has been a model of consistency for Pittsburgh, despite his underdog status. While he didn’t start his career as a top winger—initially playing more defensive roles and penalty killing—he evolved into a key offensive player. He has scored at least 20 goals and 42 points in six consecutive seasons, with any dips mostly related to injury absences. However, his injury history is concerning; he has never played more than 72 games in a season, even before pandemic-related disruptions. At 33, Rust’s physical style may be hard to sustain, and his $5.1 million annual salary adds risk for the Penguins. Still, it’s reasonable to expect him to continue contributing solidly.
Rickard Rakell’s goal-scoring talent is undeniable but also comes with some caution. He thrives playing alongside a top playmaker like Sidney Crosby, with whom he scored 35 goals last season despite spending part of the year away from Crosby’s line. Earlier in his career with the Anaheim Ducks, Rakell’s best seasons coincided with playing alongside elite centers like Ryan Getzlaf. Without such playmakers, his production dipped somewhat. Since joining Pittsburgh, having Crosby to set him up has been key to his success. Rakell can create scoring chances independently but flourishes with a high-caliber center. His future output will likely hinge on his line placement, ideally alongside Crosby or a comparable playmaker. While he remains a potent goal scorer, replicating his 2024-25 numbers exactly might be optimistic.
As the 2025-26 NHL season nears, attention turns to the Penguins’ training camp in mid-September and how these players will fit into Pittsburgh’s plans going forward.
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Fan Take: For hockey fans, the future of Rickard Rakell and Brian Rust with the Penguins is a compelling storyline that highlights the blend of talent, chemistry, and experience shaping the team’s competitiveness. Their performances could influence trade decisions and team dynamics, ultimately impacting the Penguins’ pursuit of another Stanley Cup and the overall balance of power in the NHL.
