Devils Should Trade for Rickard Rakell This Offseason

At the moment, the New Jersey Devils’ roster is filled with talent, but there are still a few elements missing. For starters, their secondary scoring was highly unpredictable this season, putting even more pressure on their top lines. Paired with a rocky goaltending situation and an injury-riddled defensive core, they quickly plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The hope is that new general manager (GM) Sunny Mehta can restructure the team during the offseason, so that success is not only imminent, but also sustainable. But what needs to happen in the meantime? For starters, the Devils need another top-six wing. It’s something they’ve failed to address in recent years, and could be a perfect opportunity for Mehta to shake things up. 

Here’s my case as to why Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rickard Rakell could be the perfect trade target this offseason.

Acquiring Rakell Makes Sense

Rakell is reportedly on the trade block, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic. The Penguins insider stated, “The consensus among team sources I’ve spoken to, who were granted anonymity because they haven’t been cleared to discuss internal strategy publicly, is that Rust and Rakell are available for the right price” (from ‘What I’m hearing about the Penguins: Eyes on Rust, Rakell, Letang as trade season nears,’ The Athletic, 6/15/26).

After a career-high of 35 goals and 70 points last season, expectations for Rakell reached an all-time high. But unfortunately, his 2025-26 campaign was hampered by injuries. 

First, he required hand surgery after blocking a shot in October, missing 20 games as a result. Rakell rejoined the lineup in mid-December but suffered a lower-body injury ahead of the Olympic break. In the end, he finished with a respectable 48 points in 60 games for the Penguins, along with one assist for Team Sweden in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Rakell has been a staple on the Penguins’ top line, alongside Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Meaning, he could fit right in with the Devils’ star forwards, possibly on the wing of Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. Not only is he a versatile, experienced veteran, but Rakell is capable of playing all three forward positions. In fact, he frequently switched between center and wing, even filling in as top-line center at times in Crosby’s stead.

Adding a player of Rakell’s caliber to their top six could take the Devils to the next level. In addition to his potential as a 20-30 goal scorer, he also possesses a strong two-way game, which could mesh very well on a line with Hischier. Likewise, he could be placed on left wing, leaving Timo Meier to play on his dominant right side, while Dawson Mercer can man the third line. Taking all of these factors into consideration, Rakell should absolutely be on the Devils’ radar this summer.

Potential Trade Scenarios

The asking price for Rakell is expected to be on the steeper side. But now the Penguins have shifted their focus to acquiring younger talent, which the Devils have in spades. In particular, the Penguins need fresh faces on their blue line. What better way to fill that need than with the 2022 second overall pick?

Simon Nemec has been a polarizing topic among Devils fans. After a severe knee injury sidelined Johnathan Kovacevic, the expectation was that Nemec would prove himself as a future top-four defenseman. But even though he showed moments of offensive brilliance, he’s now become the odd man out in a defensive logjam. 

Furthermore, his status as a restricted free agent (RFA) leaves the organization with a few different options: a long-term extension, a bridge deal, or a trade. According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, teams have already expressed interest in Nemec, who is expected to have a high return value. 

As a brand-new GM with an affinity for numbers and analytics, this is not a front Mehta will be willing to budge on. Any theoretical trade would also need to include another high-end asset from the Penguins, such as a first-round draft pick or an elite prospect. This way, the Devils can welcome a top-six scorer to their lineup, while also strengthening their prospect pipeline.

An Affordable, Cost-Effective Choice

According to PuckPedia, the Devils currently have just under $11 million in cap space at their disposal. Rakell’s contract has two years left, but his average annual value (AAV) of $5 million is extremely affordable, especially now that the NHL salary cap is on the rise. Adding Rakell to their top six would also support the Devils’ “win now” mentality, without a long-term financial commitment.

Another variable that makes this deal even more plausible is the fact that Mehta is actively gauging interest in veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Trading away his $6 million cap hit would provide even more spending flexibility to target premium players like Rakell.

Devils’ Offseason and Beyond

The Devils’ front office certainly has their work cut out for them within the next few months. But one of their top priorities should be looking for a premier forward to complete their top lines. Rakell would be the perfect wing to slot into the lineup, capable of boosting scoring alongside either of New Jersey’s star centers.

Now that the offseason is officially underway, be sure to check out The Hockey Writers for all the latest news and updates.