The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively exploring trade opportunities but are setting steep prices for valuable players like Bryan Rust, Erik Karlsson, and Rickard Rakell, according to insider Frank Seravalli on Tuesday. With the focus on Bryan Rust Penguins trade value, general manager Kyle Dubas is determined to secure substantial returns amid roster changes.
High Asking Prices Set for Key Penguins Forwards
In recent discussions, Seravalli highlighted the elevated asking prices that Dubas has placed on several of the team‘s top forwards.
“What’s the asking price for Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell? The answer is, it’s pretty high,”
he reported. The Penguins recognize the scarcity of quality top-six forwards in the market, which strengthens their negotiating position.
Both Rust and Rakell had impressive performances last season, exceeding expectations.
“Rust and Rakell are both coming off of very strong seasons. Both of them more than lived up to expectations. And Pittsburgh is looking at this market inefficiency and saying, no one else can get their hands on these top six guys,”
Seravalli explained.
Rickard Rakell is currently under contract through the 2027-28 season on a six-year deal worth $30 million, having scored 35 goals and totaled 70 points last year. Bryan Rust achieved a career-high with 31 goals and continues to be a reliable top-six winger. Meanwhile, veteran Erik Karlsson, at 35 years old, remains a valuable offensive contributor despite his higher salary.
Penguins’ Urgency to Reshape Roster After Playoff Absences
Having missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, the Penguins face growing pressure for organizational change. Despite this push for a rebuild, the franchise is not willing to trade away key talent cheaply. Dubas is leveraging the limited availability of quality forwards on the market to demand significant assets in return.
“Need to get real significant value in return,” Seravalli said. “So Kyle Dubas has been asking for a ton for both Rust and Rakell. And he’s still asking for a lot for Karlsson on the basis that he’s going to retain.”
—Frank Seravalli, Insider
Dubas’ approach indicates that any trades involving these players must bring meaningful returns to ensure the team’s long-term competitiveness rather than settling for underwhelming deals.
Challenges Facing GM Kyle Dubas in Balancing Present and Future
The Penguins’ current difficulties reflect a broader decline since their 2017 Stanley Cup triumph. Although stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang remain productive, they are advancing in age and no longer the main cause of the team’s struggles. Instead, concerns have grown around other aspects like front office decisions and goaltending.
Kyle Dubas is now tasked with managing a delicate transition, maintaining competitiveness in the present while building a sustainable future. Currently, Rust, Karlsson, and Rakell remain part of the roster, but with trade talks intensifying and Dubas holding firm, roster moves could be imminent.
How Dubas navigates these negotiations will have a major impact on the Penguins’ direction, as the franchise seeks a path back to playoff contention without sacrificing the core value of its assets.