The Penguins never came close to trading Rickard Rakell before Friday’s NHL trade deadline. Oh, there was heavy interest. The Penguins received substantial offers from teams eager to add one of the most gifted goal scorers on the market.

Some Penguins who made it past the NHL trade deadline with the team were big trade candidates. Who won't be with the team anymore in 2025-26?

The Penguins should hold Matt Grzelcyk's offensive abilities close with a lack of that skill in their pipeline.

Rickard Rakell's value may never be higher than it was before the trade deadline. If it's not, Dubas missed an opportunity. Time will tell.

Since becoming the Penguins general manager, Kyle Dubas has faced heavy criticism for moves that he has made. Pittsburgh sports fans are just babies that want to cry about everything. Dubas had one goal at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline which was to acquire assets to get the rebuild underway and he did that.

The Penguins need to sell at the NHL trade deadline and how much they do sell separates their dream and nightmare scenarios.

NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas making four trades on deadline day. He also made a couple of trades leading up to the deadline.