Penguins Acquire Forward Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks

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Penguins Acquire Forward Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks in Exchange for Forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon, Goaltender Calle Clang and a 2022 Second-Round Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired forward Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Dominik Simon, goaltender Calle Clang and a 2022 second-round draft pick, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.

Rakell is signed through the end of the 2021-22 season, and carries an average annual value of $3,789,444. Anaheim will retain 35% of Rakell’s salary.

Rakell, 28, has recorded 16 goals, 12 assists and 28 points with the Ducks this season, including five power-play goals and one game-winning goal. His 16 goals rank second on the team, while his 28 points are the seventh-most. 

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward is a veteran of 550 games and eight-plus seasons, all with Anaheim, where he has recorded 154 goals, 185 assists and 339 points. Since his first full season in 2014-15, Rakell’s 154 goals and 33 power-play goals are the most on the Ducks, while his 335 points are second to only Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (405).

The 2018 NHL All Star’s best NHL season came in 2017-18 when he recorded career highs across the board in games played (77), goals (34), assists (35), points (69), power-play goals (8) and power-play points (18). One season prior in ’16-17, Rakell scored a career-high 10 game-winning goals, the most in the league that season.

Rakell has also suited up for 46 career playoff games with the Ducks, recording 11 goals, eight assists and 19 points.

Prior to turning professional, Rakell played three seasons with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 69 goals and 151 points in 149 career games from 2010-13. Rakell was coached by Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci when he was Plymouth’s general manager and head coach.

The Sundbyberg, Sweden native represented his home country internationally at the 2011 and ’12 World Junior Championship, winning gold and silver medals, respectively. He also played at the 2018 World Championships, where he won the gold medal with Team Sweden and was named to the tournament’s All-Star Team after recording 14 points (6G-8A) in 10 games.

Rakell was originally drafted in the first round (30th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft by the Ducks. Rakell was teammates with Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (2017-19) and forward Danton Heinen (2019-21) with the Ducks.


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