Last year, Rickard Rakell offered a simple but profound tenet on those in his vocation.
“I mean, I’m a hockey player,” Rakell said Oct. 27, 2023. “I love to score goals.”
That affection went unfulfilled for much of the 2023-24 season as the Pittsburgh Penguins forward struggled before and after a right shoulder injury he suffered in November of that campaign. In total, he was limited to 70 games and 15 goals (as well as 37 points in total) during a frustrating season.
Today, Rakell has rebounded with a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign and has emerged as the team’s leading goal-scorer with 10 through 26 games (along with five assists), admittedly on a squad that has underperformed as a whole.
An ongoing three-game goal-scoring streak (the Penguins are undefeated over that span) has buoyed his figures.
Pittsburgh goal!
Scored by Rickard Rakell with 14:35 remaining in the 3rd period.
Assisted by Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.
Pittsburgh: 4
Calgary: 0#CGYvsPIT#LetsGoPens#Flamespic.twitter.com/VZkqeSdr5O— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 1, 2024
Also, it helps to be playing on the top line. At the moment, he is manning the left wing along with Sidney Crosby at center and Bryan Rust on the right wing.
“Definitely playing with more purpose,” Rakell said Monday following a practice session in Cranberry. “It was, obviously, a struggle at the start of last year, trying to find my game. But now, I, obviously, get to play with Sid and (Rust). We get a lot of ice time and chances to help our team. I’m just trying to run with it and do as best I can. Just treat every game like a new game and stay hungry.”
Rakell’s overall game has stood out to management.
“He’s been one of our most consistent players all year long on both sides of the puck,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He came into camp in unbelievable shape. He’s been able to sustain his play game in and game out, shift and shift out. He’s been deserving of the ice time he’s been given through his performance. … It’s been consistent game-in and game-out.”
What does Rakell’s game look like when he’s at his best?
“Playing my game means trying to do more when I get the puck,” said Rakell, a two-time All-Star. “When you’re not feeling like yourself, you’re almost working harder but not really doing anything. It’s just like you’re passing the puck off and hoping someone else is going to do it for you. Now, I try to do something every time I get it or have a purpose. When I don’t have the puck, I’m in a position where I can get the puck and just go from there. Just give myself more room and space and chances to do something in games. That’s the biggest difference.”
Another change? He’s just in a better mood this season after grinding through a woeful 2023-24, much of which was conducted with a brace on his ailing right shoulder.
“It was just tough last year,” forward Drew O’Connor said. “He got into a little bit of a slump, and it was just hard to break out of. You’re kind of seeing the version that he’s been in the NHL for a long time this year. He’s going to the net, he’s winning battles, he’s getting a lot of pucks on net and he’s scoring nice goals. He’s a really good player. It’s been awesome to see him scoring goals this year.
“And smiling a bit more.”
Even if the goals are more abundant this season, they aren’t a focus.
“I’m trying to be a good hockey player. Not just focusing on scoring goals. Doing other things on the ice. Just trying to find open ice to help my teammates, make simple plays and then take it from there. … That’s where I feel like that’s where I get my mojo playing, when I get the puck and you get it with speed and start skating with the puck, making things happen.
“That’s when I’m happy as a hockey player.”