The Buffalo Sabres have yet to replace the goal-scoring void created by general manager Kevyn Adams trading JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in late June. The Pittsburgh Penguins wing tandem of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust remain intriguing options to add some top-six depth.
Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet recently listed the Sabres as one of the top five remaining potential landing spots for Rakell or Rust, who are among the most productive players still on the trade market. The two teams already made one deal this summer headlined by Conor Timmins going to Buffalo and Connor Clifton heading to Pittsburgh.
Rust is No. 5 on The Fourth Period's summer trade watch list, which also mentions Buffalo's interest in the two-time Stanley Cup champion. Rakell is right behind him at No. 6 on the list.
Either player would represent a boost to the Sabres' forward group, which is currently betting on a lot of internal improvement, but is one winger is the better overall fit? Let's analyze the situation.
The case for Rickard Rakell
Rakell is coming off the highest-scoring season of his 13-year NHL career. He tallied 70 points on a perfectly balanced 35 goals and 35 assists. It was a near replica of his 2017-18 campaign with the Anaheim Ducks when he recorded 69 points (34 goals and 35 helpers).
His success last season comes with underlying concern, though. His shooting percentage (17.2%) was the second-highest mark in the NHL and it was 5.5 points above his career average (11.7%). It's rare for a player to outshoot a long-term average two seasons in a row.
The 2011 first-round pick also benefited greatly from playing alongside Sidney Crosby. The Pens' expected goals for per 60 (xGF/60) was 3.27 in 1,000 minutes with Crosby and Rakell on the ice together. It dipped to 2.75 when Rakell was on the ice without the future Hall of Famer.
That said, Rakell is a proven scorer. He's reached at least 15 goals in nine of the past 10 seasons, and he's topped 30 three times over that span. That's attractive for a team like the Sabres, who are looking to replace a portion of Peterka's production without giving up multiple key assets.
It's fair to wonder whether the 32-year-old winger would remain a feared scoring threat in Buffalo, though.
The case for Bryan Rust
Rust, 33, also produced his best statistical campaign in 2024-25. His 65 points were seven more than his previous career-best total. It also marked the first time he topped 30 goals.
The analytics suggest a little more offensive optimism for the Michigan native, too. Pittsburgh's xGF/60 was 3.58 when he was on the ice with Crosby and 3.55 while he played with other forwards. It suggests a consistent offensive impact, which is what the Sabres need.
Rust's biggest question is his defensive deficiencies. His 5-on-5 defense has been a severe weakness each of the past three years, according to HockeyViz's synthetic goals metric. That's a concern for a Buffalo squad that's already faltered in that area recently.
A lot would depend on how the Sabres plan to use him. If they'd aim to create an all-out attacking line with Rust, Tage Thompson and Jiri Kulich, it could work by merely outscoring opponents despite the trio's obvious weaknesses in their own end.
Buffalo wouldn't have a ton of lineup flexibility if that's the route it chooses, however.
Verdict: Sabres should target Rakell
This is a unique debate because often the deciding factor is the acquisition cost. Yet, what it'd take to land either Rakell or Rust is likely quite similar. They are around the same age, both have three years left on their contract and each produced at a high level last season.
So, it really comes down to which player better fits what the Sabres are trying to do, the offensively consistent Rust or the more well-rounded Rakell.
Since Buffalo has so many unanswered questions — Can Zach Benson produce at a top-line level? Will Kulich make a second-year leap? Is Jack Quinn capable of getting his once-promising career back on track? Does Josh Norris stay healthy? — the flexibility Rakell would bring is attractive.
Yes, he could play on the No. 1 line, but he's also able to slide down the lineup without becoming a significant defensive liability. That's helpful for a team that may shake up its forward lines a lot.
Ultimately, that tips the scales in Rakell's favor, but the reality is Buffalo fans would welcome either Penguins winger with open arms as they seek an end to the franchise's 14-year playoff drought.