Rickard Rakell

The Oilers made a splash acquiring Rickard Rakell, but not everyone in the hockey world believes this move addresses their core issues heading into next season. Rakell's skill set is undeniable, yet questions linger about whether he's the transformative piece Edmonton needs to get back to Stanley Cup contention. The real test will come when the puck drops and we see how seamlessly he integrates into their system alongside Connor McDavid.

The Penguins are drifting into trade-season territory, and the names floating around are not throwaway pieces. Rust, Rakell, and Letang are all under the microscope as the front office starts weighing where this thing is headed. That is the part fans never love and rival GMs always do - when a contender’s core starts feeling a little too available. The next move here could say plenty about how aggressively Pittsburgh plans to reshape the roster.