In the twilight of training camp, Rickard Rakell surveyed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ dressing room and his gaze fell upon Erik Karlsson. The legendary defenseman had arrived via a blockbuster trade, but his presence still elicited disbelief from Rakell. The recognition that one of the most prolific offensive defensemen in history was now his teammate was surreal. “It’s going to take some time to adjust,” Rakell acknowledged, “But when it clicks, we’ll be a dangerous team.” Rakell’s prediction proved partially true. The Penguins did indeed experience a late-season surge, going 8-2-3 in their final 13 games. However, this valiant effort came too late, falling short of a playoff berth. In many ways, Rakell’s season mirrored the Penguins’ collective performance: flashes of brilliance amidst consistent underachievement. Despite occupying a prominent position on either of the top two lines and receiving regular power play opportunities, Rakell’s second full season in Pittsburgh was underwhelming. In 70 games, he managed just 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists), averaging 16:31 of ice time per game. “It didn’t go as well as I would have liked,” Rakell admitted during the team’s exit interviews. “It was an up-and-down season, with injuries early on and not producing at the level I wanted.” Rakell’s struggles were evident from the outset, as he recorded only four assists in his first 17 games. “I’m a hockey player,” Rakell stated in late October. “I love scoring goals and winning hockey games.” A suspected right shoulder injury, evidenced by a brace he wore throughout much of the season, sidelined Rakell for 12 games between mid-November and mid-December. However, Rakell downplayed the injury’s impact on his performance, even expressing a desire to use it as an excuse. “I wish I could say it was the reason, but it wasn’t,” Rakell asserted. “It’s been tough. It’s been a long time that I’ve been out. Watching from the sidelines is difficult. I’m just going to put the past behind me and focus on moving forward, playing my game, and playing loose.” Rakell appeared in all of the Penguins’ final 53 games, tallying 33 points, including all 15 of his season’s goals. His defining moment of the 2023-24 campaign came in a thrilling 6-3 road victory over the New Jersey Devils on April 2. Battling through a team-wide illness, the Penguins overcame a 3-1 deficit entering the third period, erupting for five goals, with Rakell securing the game-winner. However, like the Penguins’ season itself, this memorable triumph came too late. With four years remaining on his six-year, $5 million AAV contract, the 30-year-old (turning 31 in May) recognizes the need for a more substantial contribution next season. “I’m going home now,” Rakell noted. “I’ll have a good summer, work on my game, and do everything to come back better next year.” Only time will tell if Rakell and the Penguins can turn their promise into tangible success.
Rickard Rakell: An Enigma in an Underachieving Penguins Season
