The Penguins are trying to improve next season, and that much has been made clear. But they are simultaneously trying to get younger while getting better, which is a tough needle to thread. Rust and Rakell may be in their mid-30s with two years each remaining on their contracts that pay them $5.1 and $5 million per year, respectively – and several other teams desire to add top-six players and, in some cases, veterans – but they’re still very good players, and each of them could help advance the Penguins’ pursuit to get better and younger at the same time.Â
