Rickard Rakell: Key Player Projections for the Penguins in 2026-27

It’s hard to believe that it has been over four years since former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall made a pivotal move to acquire Rickard Rakell at the 2022 NHL trade deadline. Rakell proved to be exactly what the Penguins needed, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the top six and navigating through multiple offseason trade rumors, including this year. With two seasons remaining on his contract, he remains a crucial part of the team’s future.

Rakell delivered a standout performance during the 2024-25 season, achieving career highs with 35 goals and 70 points over 81 games. Following that impressive campaign, he continued to contribute significantly with 24 goals and 48 points in 60 games last season. Unfortunately, his numbers could have been even more impressive had he not missed a month and a half due to a broken left hand early in the season.

Throughout the past season, Rakell found himself playing alongside Sidney Crosby as one of his wingers, but he also took on the role of center, a position he had little experience with prior. This transition required a significant adjustment, as he had to refine his faceoff skills and enhance his two-way play, including contributions on the penalty kill. Remarkably, Rakell logged 34:57 minutes on the penalty kill this past season, his highest total since the 2019-20 season when he was with the Anaheim Ducks.

Despite his success at center, Rakell is naturally a winger, and it’s expected that he will start the 2026-27 season alongside Crosby and Bryan Rust. His chemistry with Crosby is palpable, as he has a knack for reading the game and anticipating plays. Should injuries arise among the Penguins’ centers, Rakell is capable of stepping back into that role when necessary.

As for special teams, while there may be some changes to the top power play unit for the upcoming season, Rakell’s place should remain secure. He excels in the slot and possesses one of the most lethal shots on the team, making him a constant threat that keeps opposing penalty killers on their toes.

Entering his 33rd year, Rakell is poised to maintain a strong performance, with expectations set between 20 and 30 goals and 50 to 60 points. He has consistently reached or exceeded these numbers in three of the past four seasons, and a repeat of his 2023-24 campaign, where he only managed 15 goals and 37 points while shooting 9.1%, seems unlikely. As the Penguins aim for a second consecutive playoff appearance, Rakell will undoubtedly play a vital role in their pursuit.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.