NHL Trade Rumors: Kings & Penguins linked to multi-player deadline deal

The NHL trade deadline is just around the corner and the Los Angeles Kings are a team to watch in the Western Conference. They are in the market for a top-six right-winger and one players who continues to be linked to the Kings is Pittsburgh Penguins' Rickard Rakell.

The Kings can make the deal work given their salary cap situation and Rakell's $5 million AAV. The Penguins' winger has a eight-team no-trade clause and is signed through 2027-28 season. He spent several seasons playing hockey in California and is familiar to the Kings management brass with their rival Anaheim Ducks.

Rakell's having a strong season this year in Pittsburgh, scoring 25 goals and 48 points in 56 games. The Penguins are struggling to get into the playoff hunt in the East, and Kyle Dubas is expected to be open to just about anything outside of moving Crosby, Malkin and Letang. The Penguins banked a first-round pick for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor from the Canucks via Rangers, and if they move Rakell to the Kings, a first-round pick will be a must. Keep an eye on Trevor Moore being included as well, Dubas loves Moore and is very familiar with his game from their days together with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli has Rakell near the top of his trade targets board. With the trade deadline March 7, trade talks have advanced around the league. 

Rewind to one calendar year ago and Rakell’s deal was looking like an immovable object on Pittsburgh’s books. Now? Rakell has turned in a phenomenal season and the Penguins have optionality. He’s already exceeded his cap hit in value this season, so they should be able to move him without retaining. How do teams feel about the three remaining years? If they’re wonky about it, Pittsburgh will need scoring support if they have any designs on competing again while Sidney Crosby is under contract, which seems to be the plan.

Keep an eye on the Kings and Penguins, some business together could be coming in the very near future.

Photo credit:  Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images