Could the Islanders and Penguins Swap Pageau & Rakell?

The New York Islanders have been quite active during their 2024 offseason which has spanned over a month, having already secured the signature of top Russian free agent Maxim Tsyplakov and executed a notable draft trade. On the flip side, the Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained a low profile, staying relatively silent amidst their even lengthier offseason. Nonetheless, with both teams seeking to shake up their rosters, could a potential exchange of core players be on the horizon?

A plausible scenario might involve a swap between Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the Islanders and Rickard Rakell of the Penguins. Rakell was acquired by the Penguins during the 2022 Trade Deadline in exchange for assets including a second-round pick, goaltending prospect Calle Clang, and two roster players. He showcased his abilities down the stretch that season in Pittsburgh, impressively tallying four goals and 13 points in 19 games. Despite a solid debut season where he netted 28 goals and 60 points, Rakell’s subsequent season saw a decline with 15 goals and 37 points.

Should the Penguins consider parting ways with Rakell, they might be doing so at a low valuation. Driven partly by the mounting pressure from fans to capitalize on Sidney Crosby’s final prime seasons, the team could be compelled to trade Rakell for less than his market value. This is where the Islanders could enter the picture.

Pageau, who was acquired by the Islanders at the 2020 Trade Deadline after a notable scoring streak with the Ottawa Senators, has been a consistent presence on the team as the best defensive forward. However, amidst the need for change, a mutual agreement to part ways could be beneficial.

A potential exchange involving Rakell and Pageau could be advantageous for both teams. While the financial terms for both players stand at $5 million, Rakell holds a longer contract with four seasons remaining compared to Pageau’s two. In the event Pageau struggles with the Penguins, his one-season contract would be easier to offload, unlike Rakell. The Penguins, seeking a third-line center, could benefit from Pageau’s elite defensive skills, giving them a balanced offensive mix alongside Crosby and Malkin.

For the Islanders, who are in need of bolstering their forward options, bringing in Rakell at a discounted price could be a strategic move to enhance their offensive capabilities. Rakell’s speed and scoring prowess could complement the Islanders’ lineup well, especially alongside players like Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat.

Another player of interest, the Penguins’ Drew O’Connor, offers an intriguing trade prospect for the Islanders. Despite his recent NHL breakthrough season where he showcased his scoring abilities with 16 goals and 33 points, the 6’3” left-winger could be a valuable addition for the Islanders’ forward group. With an affordable contract of $925,000 for the upcoming season, O’Connor could seamlessly slot into the Islanders’ second line alongside Nelson and Palmieri, providing depth to their offensive lineup.

In a potential trade scenario involving O’Connor and Rakell heading to the Islanders in exchange for Pageau and potentially additional assets like draft picks or prospects, both teams could benefit from the reconfiguration of their rosters. While the exact details of such a trade remain uncertain, the prospect of reshuffling key players between the Islanders and Penguins could pave the way for significant changes in both teams’ lineups following their disappointing 2023-24 campaigns.