According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, before inking Nikolaj Ehlers to a new six-year contract, the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in a pair of veteran wingers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hurricanes reportedly called on the availability of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and league sources believe one of the two will be dealt this summer.
Given his use of the past tense in his article, it doesn’t appear that Carolina has continued their interest in Rust or Rakell. Still, with more than $10MM in cap space after adding Ehlers, the Hurricanes could conceivably add another top-six winger to their forward group to put themselves over the top in the Eastern Conference.
Neither player has indicated a desire to leave the Penguins organization, but neither has the necessary protection to block a trade outright. If Carolina reconsiders in the offseason, they would likely target Rust for a middle-six role, adding more physicality and playoff experience to a high-skill lineup.
Other notes from the Eastern Conference:
- Although they only came away with Jonathan Drouin to improve their offensive woes, the New York Islanders had their eyes on a bigger prize once free agency began. According to a new article from Stefen Rosner in The Elmonters, the Islanders were the highest on the list for winger Brock Boeser, if he wanted to leave Vancouver. Ultimately, although he would have been a tremendous goal-scoring asset for New York, Boeser remained with the Canucks on a new seven-year, $50.75MM deal.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning announced that they’ve hired Jeff Tambellini as their new Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations. Tambellini is a former six-year veteran of the NHL, playing for the Islanders, Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings. He had previously worked for the Lightning as a collegiate scout from 2020 to 2022 and the Seattle Kraken’s Director of Player Development from 2022 to 2025.
Kings could have drafted an 18 year old Corey Perry, but instead opted for Tambellini at #27 in 2003, while the Ducks took Perry at #28! It’s all fine now that the Kings signed a 40 year old Perry…….
Interesting.
Maybe Tambellini is training for when he takes over the reins in LA and does a better job at the draft.
The Kings passed on many more players than just Perry. 2003 best first round of all time and the Kings had three picks and two were total busts
Curious in what way you think Brian Boyle was a total bust?
I think the two Cups LA won without Perry makes it all fine
The Canes don’t need those guys. Neither is a 2C.
Carolina doesn’t have the goods for Rust or Rakell. The Pens are looking for NHL ready guys and the Canes don’t have them on the farm ready.