Trade Rumor: Kyle Dubas sets a price on Rakell and Rust

Elliotte Friedman says Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has a line for Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, and he'll deal if a team hits it.

Boston sits first in the Atlantic at 13-4-1 and has won four straight. Any veteran forwards who could change teams inside the East are worth tracking from here.

The Penguins are 6-10-2 and 29th in the NHL. They're seven points back of third place in the Metropolitan Division, which explains why Dubas is listening.

Friedman noted that Dubas is upfront about it: reach his number and he'll make the deal.

No suitor has been named, and no price. Nobody has said what the line actually is, so this is a rumor built on a GM's willingness to move players, not a trade in progress.

David Pagnotta had already laid out the market. He pointed to Rust with no trade protection, then Rakell, then Erik Karlsson, who holds a full no-movement clause but has a real desire to chase a Stanley Cup.

Friedman also relayed that Pittsburgh wants to make moves but has a lot of players with no-move or no-trade clauses. That narrows Dubas's options fast.

Who can Dubas actually move?

Rust is the easiest piece on paper, with no trade protection. But he's listed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and is expected out until at least Dec 5, so a buyer would be paying for a player who has appeared in just 7 games.

Rakell is healthy and has been the steadier of the two this season.

Rakell has 6 goals and 4 assists in 18 games, including a short-handed goal. Rust has 3 goals and 2 assists in his 7 games. Both are signed through 2027-28, which matters to any team thinking beyond this season.

Selling makes sense for Pittsburgh. At 33 and 34, these two won't be more valuable than they are today, and the Penguins aren't climbing out of 29th by standing pat. Dubas is right to name a price, and any team that blinks first will overpay for a rental.

Pittsburgh's next test is Wednesday at San Jose, and Boston hosts Montreal on Thursday. If Dubas's line gets hit, we'll hear about it fast.

Quick hits

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