It’s the question echoing through the NHL rumor mill: What is Kyle Dubas going to do next in Pittsburgh? While the Penguins have publicly committed to contending as long as Sidney Crosby is around, behind the scenes, a different strategy might be taking shape. The whispers are growing louder, and they point towards a seismic shift in philosophy. Sources close to the situation suggest the Penguins are not just looking to retool; they might be preparing to tear it all down for a shot at a generational talent.
The prize? Gavin McKenna, the phenom expected to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. To get in the running for that kind of franchise-altering player, a team needs to be bad. Really bad. And that means selling off valuable assets. According to Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff, the Penguins are ready to start that process, and two prominent names have emerged as the primary trade chips: Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. For fans, this signals the beginning of a painful, but potentially necessary, new era.
Why Rust and Rakell are Prime Trade Candidates
The logic is sound. Both Rust ($5.125 million AAV) and Rakell ($5 million AAV) are effective top-six forwards on contracts that run through the 2027-28 season. In a league starved for scoring wingers, they represent valuable assets. Teams on the cusp of Stanley Cup contention, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, or New Jersey Devils, could see either player as the missing piece to their puzzle.
The key to any deal will be salary retention. If the Penguins are willing to eat a portion of their salaries, it would transform them from expensive luxuries into affordable, high-impact rentals for a contender. For Pittsburgh, retaining salary is a small price to pay if it means acquiring the draft capital needed to bottom out and enter “tank nation.” It’s a bold, painful strategy, but one that could pay massive dividends if they land a player of McKenna’s caliber. The Penguins aren’t just trading players; they’re trading their present for a chance at a much brighter future.
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The post Pittsburgh Penguins Rumors: Are Two Core Forwards on the Trade Block for a Full Rebuild? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
