Rickard Rakell has signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"How many years do you wanna pretend that you're still competing?"

pens brass:

Wow. That's a lot of money and term for the numbers Rakell has put up.

I’m sorry, but with this signing, you now have 10 million dollars remaining, you still need some depth forwards, and you still need to sign Kasperi Kapanen with Malkin looking at his options, reminder that Kapanen had his rights in Europe traded this season for Linden Vey or something….

Have fun Pens

Also 5M for a 41 point scorer? This feels like a signing for the “idea” of a consistent goal scorer, 6 years too.

The Pens strategy is confusing to me: The Letang and Rakell contracts scream "We're all in for 3 years then when Sid is done we're okay with being terrible." That's fine, but if that's the case, why are you lowballing Geno and refusing to give him 4 years? Odd

Aaaaand Malkin is gone.

My guess is his injury history, it isn’t good, but he has the longevity to play 4 more years

There was also a report/rumor Pittsburgh wanted 3 years so it would match up with Crosby’s expiry date

Great signing for a great player. He is paid not only for his goals but also for his leadership skills and ability to build hype in the locker room.

Super talented and unproductive player.


The Swedish Kevin Labanc but more expensive and signed for longer.

I like this signing a lot. By the 5th year the Pens will probably be 1-2 years deep in a full rebuild so why not go all in now. RR was the best available forward with FF off the table and Kadri, Trocheck, and Gaudreau seemingly committed elsewhere. Pens are still top 3 in the Metro and capable of making a deep run next season.

Only silver lining I see is that there is no NTC or anything like that. So in theory, they could move him in a couple years if they need to hit the rebuild button.
But the $ and especially the term here is just awful

I don't know what people are complaining about. The only issue I see is Sullivan's reluctance to play Rakell on Crosby's line. Whether by the eye-test or advanced stats, a Guentzel-Crosby-Rakell line was ludicrously productive.

What is it with the Pens and bad contracts recently? That’s a little too much for someone who hasn’t hit 20 goals in 4 seasons.

It might be for the idea of him producing. Time will tell

This one does seem to be a little high but if he can play like he did a few years ago then it could be a steal of a contract.

Too much money for his current production. Too much term for his age. At least is will be easy to buyout in a few years.

This over Malkin? Bad move. Will be interested in where Malkin lands.

I've gotta vote dad deal and move.

I dont think Rakell will be scoring much when he's 35

Seems like too little production for too much money for too long a term.

damn, my guy went from underrated to overrated with the stroke of a pen.

He barely got to 20 goals last season, and is 4 seasons removed from 30 goals. Unless hes playing fulltime with Sid, no way he gets 30 again.
Hes overpaid for what hes shown for the last 4 seasons, and at 29 a 6yr deal looks like an overpay....for all 6 years.

Unfortunately

pun intended?

Another fringe top 6 guy getting 5 million lol