Penguins star reportedly rejected Blackhawks trade, but there's a twist
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
A rumor says Rickard Rakell rejected a trade to the Blackhawks. Both clubs are active on the market, but nothing about the claim has been confirmed.
A rumor now making the rounds claims Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell turned down a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks, and that this is why the Penguins called up Rutger McGroarty.
It comes from former NHL defenseman Keith Yandle, who passed it along as something he heard.
Neither club has confirmed talks, and no outlet has verified it.
The post that sparked the chatter is below.
"Actually, I heard a rumor that [Rickard] Rakell turned down a trade to go to Chicago. And that's why they brought up, who is the kid they brought up, McGroarty."
- Keith Yandle
- Keith Yandle
The McGroarty Timeline Offers a Simpler Explanation
McGroarty, 22, was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ahead of Sunday's game in Anaheim after yet another injury up front.
That is a routine roster move. He also came up on Oct. 22 when Bryan Rust and Ben Kindel went on injured reserve, then went back to the AHL on Nov. 1.
Two recalls with injuries in the background do not need a blocked trade to explain them.
That does not prove the rumor false, but it leaves the claim without any visible support.
Why Pittsburgh and Chicago Keep Crossing Paths
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that both are teams to watch on the trade market.
Pittsburgh wants to get younger and faster.
Chicago is reportedly hunting for a shoot-first scoring winger with size, and Rakell has been named among possible targets by Chicago-focused writers.
On paper, the fit works. Rakell scores, and his cap hit is $5 million through 2027-28.
The sticking point is his eight-team no-trade list.
Public reporting does not say whether Chicago is on it, so a refusal is possible but unconfirmed.
If Rakell did close the door, the Blackhawks have other names to chase.
Owen Tippett, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Drew O'Connor have all surfaced in speculation.
Until a credible reporter backs up the Yandle claim, treat it as chatter, not news.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Red Wings reportedly prefer two Dylan Larkin trade offers from two Original Six teams off his list
Red Wings reportedly prefer two Dylan Larkin trade offers from two Original Six teams off his list
Previously on House Of Hockey