PENGUINS PICK UP RAKELL
The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired winger Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender Calle Clang, wingers Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon, and a second-round draft pick in 2022.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a massive move for Pittsburgh, especially after seeing all of the best teams in the Eastern Conference improving with key moves prior to the deadline. Rakell can score and play either wing, so he should be a fine addition to the team's top-six forward group. Is Evgeni Malkin his next setup man?
What does it give the Anaheim Ducks
It has been a mass exodus of pending unrestricted free agents for the Ducks. First they moved Josh Manson to Colorado, then Hampus Lindholm to Boston and now Rakell to the Penguins. Aston-Reese and Simon are likely just going to play out the stretch as potential UFAs, but the future assets are huge.
Fantasy impact
Rakell has fantasy value regardless of what team he plays on, but his stock is on the rise with the possibility of lining up next to Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. Neither Aston-Reese nor Simon have fantasy value, while Clang has plenty of keeper value. While Anaheim is strong in goal today, things change quickly with the goaltending position in the NHL. Clang has a chance to eventually become a quality starter.
