Penguins Update: Hextall Got it Right with Rakell

Hey all. With so much negativity surrounding our Penguins these days as we stagger down the homestretch, I thought I’d reach for a positive. Here goes:

There’s probably a pretty good chance Penguins GM Ron Hextall will lose his job this summer. Even if our Penguins manage to squeak into the postseason for a 17^th consecutive season, they’ve fallen far short of expectations. Doubly so when you consider how well our core group has played.

Much of the shortfall can be tied to Hextall’s failed attempts to build a strong supporting cast around Sidney Crosby & Company. He allowed useful and affordable role players such as Frederick Gaudreau, Evan Rodrigues and Brandon Tanev to depart, and traded emerging sniper Jared McCann (37 goals and counting) for marginal prospect Filip Hallander.

His deals this past summer to remake the defense have fallen short of the mark as well.

The one trade Hexy did get right…in spades? His acquisition of forward Rickard Rakell at the trade deadline last spring for Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon, goalie prospect Calle Clang and a second-round pick.

Since his arrival, the 29-year-old native of Sundbyberg, Sweden has been everything we could’ve hoped for…and much more. A smooth and agile skater, Rakell sees the ice extremely well and possesses the smarts, creativity and skill needed to complement Crosby and fellow superstar Evgeni Malkin.

Blessed with decent size (6’1” 195), he’s capable of playing a power game and excels in close quarters and around the net.

“I like being in front of the net and being in the battles,” he told Seth Rorabaugh of the Tribune Review. “When I’m playing at my best, I’m being strong on the puck and twisting and turning and trying to beat my guy one-on-one. And being there (at the net) to jam in some ugly goals as well. That, I feel like, is part of my game.”

“He has real strong body,” added Pens defenseman and close friend Marcus Pettersson. “And he’s big out there. He’s bigger than you think. He uses his physical side in different ways. He can make some hits sometimes but he’s so strong on the puck, that’s how he shows his physical side.”

Rakell isn’t shy about shooting the puck and possesses great hands and a decent shot to boot.

In short, he’s arguably our most complete forward next to Sid.

A 30^th overall pick of Anaheim back in 2011 following a solid if unspectacular junior career, Rakell gradually developed into a lethal scorer. After notching 20 goals in 2015-16, the versatile winger potted 67 over the next two seasons, including a career-best 34 in ’17-18.

However, as the Ducks began a Penguin-esque decline, so did Rakell. Over the next three seasons his output tumbled from 18 goals to 15 to a career-low nine during the Covid shortened ’20-21 campaign. Surrounded by up-and-coming talents like Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry, Rakell was enjoying a resurgence last season when Hextall swung the deal that brought him to the ‘Burgh.

Tallying 13 points in 19 games, Rakell was instant hit. Indeed, he fit so well into the fabric of the team, he seemed born to be a Penguin.

Over the summer Hextall re-upped the UFA-to-be on a front-loaded, $30 million six-year deal with an AAV of $5 million. While it remains to be seen if Rakell will produce for the length of his contract, it’s safe to say he’s been a bright light in a sea of disappointment this season. Skating in all 78 games, he’s racked up an impressive 27 goals and 56 points, including a team-best 10 power-play goals (tied with Jake Guentzel and Malkin).

Needless to say, coach Mike Sullivan is a fan.

“He’s versatile in the sense that he’s really skilled with the puck,” said Sully. “He has good playmaking ability. He has good offensive instincts. He’s great in tight areas. He also has the ability to go to the net. And he’s got a good stick around the net. He plays the game with courage, and you have to be brave to go there because usually when you go there, you’re going to get cross checked.”

In short, Rakell’s done just about everything you could ask of him. A shame you can’t say that about the team.

Blomqvist Signed

The Pens have signed Joel Blomqvist, arguably their top goalie prospect, to an entry level contract.

Taken 52^nd overall in the 2020 Entry Draft, the rangy 21-year-old posted a 2.21 goals against average and .907 save percentage in 21 games for Karpat of the SM-liiga.

In his lone professional appearance last spring with the Baby Pens, he stopped 25 of 27 shots for a .926 save percentage.

Pickering Pickled

Since joining the Baby Pens, first-round draft Owen Pickering is receiving a baptism by fire. In three games, he’s a minus-six.

Yikes!

Oh well, there’s lots of room for improvement.