Rickard Rakell's name is now floating around Edmonton, with Oilersnation raising the idea of a trade with Pittsburgh.
Oilersnation raised the idea on its Everyday show earlier this week, framing it as a real question worth exploring.
Rakell is coming off a solid season in Pittsburgh, posting 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points over 60 games.
He added real playoff value too, picking up 4 points over 6 games as the Penguins made a first-round appearance.
Rakell closed the regular season with 6 points over his final 10 games, showing no real signs of slowing down at his age.
At 33, Rakell still carries a $5 million cap hit, the kind of number that fits a complementary scoring winger role.
Edmonton's own season ended with a first-round exit to Anaheim in six games, a result that exposed real thin depth up front.
Edmonton's playoff exit exposed a need up front
Connor McDavid still put up 138 points on his own, but the Oilers could use more consistent scoring beyond one line.
General manager Kyle Dubas and Pittsburgh could look to move Rakell as part of a broader retool, especially with term limited at his age.
Pittsburgh finished 41-25-16 for 98 points and 10th overall this season under head coach Dan Muse, still squarely in contention.
Edmonton just hired Mike Babcock as its own new head coach, adding another layer to how this roster gets built out before camp.
Any deal would likely need to account for term and dollars fitting neatly into Edmonton's cap picture, especially with a possible McDavid extension looming.
The full breakdown on Oilersnation Everyday lays out the trade mechanics in more depth.
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Nothing here is close to official, but the idea alone says plenty about where Edmonton still needs help before next season begins.
Should the Oilers actually trade for Rickard Rakell this summer?
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