Whether you’re a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Anaheim Ducks, there’s no denying that Rickard Rakell is an excellent athlete. And now you can get his youth jersey to show off your love for the NHL.

Anaheim Ducks

Among the many moves that the Anaheim Ducks made last season, Rickard Rakell was one of the movers and shakers. Aside from his impressive performance in the NHL, Rakell also made the jump to the AHL. He was a key piece of the puzzle, albeit a short one. He was also a key part of the team’s impressive turnaround. The Ducks traded for Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon, and an unsigned goalie, Calle Clang, in the process. In addition, the team acquired a 2022 second-round pick and a package of draft picks and players.

Rakell will likely be seen as the heir apparent to his mentor, Patrick Maroon. The former captain had an up and down career. As an Anaheim native, Rakell is no stranger to the NHL. He played in four games for the Ducks during the 2013-14 season, before he would snag a spot on the team’s AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. The latter half of the year would see him play in all but two games, logging 23 points and a plus-five. In 15 playoff games, Rakell showed off his scoring touch, including one of the most notable goals of the season.

While Rakell’s performance in Pittsburgh was no where near as stellar as his tenure in Anaheim, his stats are still pretty impressive. In the 2015-16 season, Rakell was a bona fide star, averaging 17:01 of time on the ice, as well as 20 goals and 35 assists in 76 games. His best year came in the post-lockout era, where he played in every game, scoring 34 goals and adding 30 assists. He was also a key part of an exciting turnaround that led to the Ducks’ first playoff berth in five years.

Rakell will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Ducks’ future, as he proved last season. In addition, he has the opportunity to prove himself at the top level, as his contract runs through the 2027-28 season. In the process, he will be tested in a new offensive system.

New Jersey Devils

Having just finished a season where they were unable to win a game, the New Jersey Devils are taking the next step in their rebuilding process. They have added Vitek Vanecek and Ondrej Palat. They have added players that will improve their defensive corps and are hoping to see some progress from their young forwards.

The Devils are in desperate need of goalscoring. They have a young lineup that is still growing and there are a lot of players on the team that are former first-round picks. Adding a player like Rickard Rakell could be the way to go.

Rakell has proven that he is a 20-30 goal scorer when he is paired with young centers. He would be a good fit in New Jersey along with Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.

Rakell was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft. He played for AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals in the 2012-13 season. He was then traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in March. He was called up in time to play one game before the regular season ended.

In 19 games with the Penguins, Rakell had 13 points. He had four goals and nine assists. He also recorded 13 points in 15 playoff games. He hasn’t scored 40 points in a season since 2017-18. He was averaging 20 goals per season until last season, but his overall numbers have slipped from that point in time.

The Devils need to add offense, and they need to improve their power play. Rakell hasn’t been a good power play producer. He only scored four goals on the power play last season. He’s also been held pointless in his opening five games of the season.

Rakell has two 30-goal seasons under his belt, but he hasn’t reached the 45-point plateau in any of his three seasons. The Devils could sign him to a three- or four-year deal for $3-3.5 million. The Devils have $22 million in cap space, but they need to add more.

Rakell is on his last year of his contract, but he could be a free agent after the 2021-22 season. He’s on the bottom end of the Bottom-6 forwards on the team, and he’s not a great defender. The Devils aren’t ready to contend for the Stanley Cup for two years, but they need to make some improvements in the offensive department.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Whether you’re a longtime fan or you just discovered the NHL, Rickard Rakell is a name you’ll want to pay close attention to. He is one of the more versatile players in the league, and his ability to move the puck in a hurry will be essential as the Penguins continue to make the playoffs. He also has the honor of reestablishing a 20-goal scoring streak after a five-year hiatus. His stats speak for themselves.

In his first season in Pittsburgh, Rakell had a solid campaign, scoring a career-high 33 goals and recording 35 assists in 77 games. His best season came in 2017-18, when he tallied 69 points in 77 games. It’s no secret that he has had a rough go of it over the past five years, but his 2017-18 campaign was the most productive of his career. In fact, his stats are so good that the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their intention to make him an unrestricted free agent.

Although Rickard Rakell’s contract is not cheap, it’s a bargain compared to other high-end free agents such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Yanni Gourde. He’ll be able to test his mettle in a high-powered offensive system. The Penguins have already made a couple of moves, including trading away Dominik Simon and acquiring Zach Aston-Reese in the offseason. The team has also announced that it is acquiring Alexander MacLean, a veteran forward who will make an interesting addition to a depth chart that is already stacked.

As for the big question, where will Rickard Rakell fit in the Penguins’ system? Hopefully, his luck stays intact and he can re-establish himself as one of the top centers in the league. One of the best parts of his tenure in Pittsburgh is that he’s had the opportunity to play with and learn from some of the best players in the league. The Penguins are going to need all the help they can get, and Rickard Rakell is the type of player who can help them win the cup. You can bet he’s going to do everything he can to earn that coveted spot on the team’s first line.