After months of observing, note taking and careful consideration, Penguins general manager Ron Hextall sprung into action just before the NHL’s trade deadline.
Hextall’s work required him to add something to a Penguin team near the top of the division, but lacking a little scoring sizzle outside of their typical front-line players. However, he also had very little salary cap space to work with, and only limited assets to offer up. The best asset, a future first round pick, is believed to off the trade table in a self-imposed way to help boost the organization’s youth.
The answer came in what Hextall hopes will be the perfect fit and add to his playoff bound team, in the form of Anaheim forward Rickard Rakell.