Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a move for a forward at the deadline, bringing in Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks for Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon, prospect goaltender Calle Clang and a 2022 second-round pick.

Rakell ranked fourth on Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets list, as, like teammates Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, he was unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the Ducks, so they began exploring options for a potential trade. Rakell is on the last season of a six-year deal with a $3,789,444 cap hit.

Rakell is a middle-six scorer who has struggled the past couple seasons but will probably be well-suited beside a Sidney Crosby or an Evgeni Malkin to produce. He currently has 16 goals and 28 points in 51 games.

Rakell joins a Penguins team that currently sits third in the Metropolitan division with a 38-16-9 record. They’re tied with the New York Rangers at 85 points for second and are three points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for first. They’re on a bit of a hot streak as well, winning four of their last five games.

Aston-Reese, a highly rated defensive forward, is the player going the other way in this trade and is on a one-year, $1.725-million contract. He has two goals and 11 points in 52 games this season and is a UFA at the end of the year. Simon ends his second stint as a Penguin after playing for the Calgary Flames in 2020-21 only to re-sign in Pittsburgh last summer. He has three goals and nine points in 55 games this season. Clang was drafted 77th overall by the Pens in 2020. Just 19, he has appeared in 15 games for Rogle of the Swedish League this season and posted a .915 save percentage.