Rickard Rakell is ready to perform for the Pittsburgh Penguins after a down season in 2023-24.
The Penguins winger struggled throughout the 2023-24 campaign, never finding consistent play. His 15 goals over 70 games are the least amount of goals he’s scored since the 2014-15 season — when he potted just nine goals in 71 games. Considering Rakell had scored 28 goals one season before his struggles, there’s a real chance for a bounceback this year.
Rakell has had success throughout his NHL career. Over his 12-year career, the skater has four 20-goal seasons and that’s where he’s committed to get back to. But he’s doing it for himself more than anyone else.
“So far, so good,” Rakell said during camp on Wednesday, as transcribed by NHL.com’s Michelle Crechiolo. “I feel good out there, and hopefully it’s just going to bring me more confidence.”
“But also, I think just having gone through that, it’s going to help me a lot, because I had a lot of time to think in the summer and just remind myself, like, why I play hockey and just do the things that I love on the ice,” Rakell continued. “I just gotta show it. I don’t have to prove it to (anybody) other than myself.”
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The Penguins will count on Rakell to return to form in their pursuit of a return to the playoffs.
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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images