The Pittsburgh Penguins could be trading Jake Guentzel soon
The Pittsburgh Penguins could be trading Jake Guentzel sooner than later.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are not looking like they are going to be a playoff team. In the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin/Kristopher Letang era, that is incredibly rare.
This is, however, going to be the second year in a row that they miss the postseason. Last year, they came up just short. They were buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline.
In 2023-24, things are different. They are going to be sellers at the deadline. Moving parts for future assets isn't something the Penguins have done in a while but that time has arrived.
Their biggest asset is forward Jake Guentzel. Throughout his NHL career, Guentzel has become one of the best scoring wingers in the league.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a great trade asset in Jake Guentzel
The 2017 Stanley Cup champion has scored 40 goals two times and has 219 over 503 career games. He also has a total of 466 points in that span.
This season, he has 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 50 games played. His goal-scoring numbers are down a tad but the Penguins haven't been scoring a lot on the power play which is a big reason for that. He will still get over 30 goals, especially if he is traded to a high-octane team.
He has shown the ability to play with elite players as he has fit right in with Pittsburgh no matter if it were with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
There are a lot of teams that would be smart to consider trading for Guentzel. They are going to have to offer something of value to get a player like that as he is incredibly talented and productive.
On Tuesday afternoon, we learned that the Pittsburgh Penguins want to have a trade for him in place by the end of the day on Wednesday.
Sources say the Penguins are hoping to have a trade in place for Jake Guentzel by tomorrow evening. Pittsburgh is open to quality over quantity in return, but would like a 1st, young NHL player, plus prospects. Flexibility comes in the calibre of prospect or roster player.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 5, 2024
The expectation is that Guentzel will be dealt by the #pens as a rental. It doesn't sound like potential acquiring teams have shown much interest in trying to work out an extension as part of the trade. https://t.co/rrzm7370lR
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2024
The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to be big sellers at the trade deadline, and Jake Guentzel is expected to be at the center of that. @TheFourthPeriod talks about what the asking price is for arguably the deadline's top target. @TonyLuftman | #LetsGoPens | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/G1574SMehP
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 5, 2024
Guentzel is going to be a rental. His contract is up after this season. Teams looking at trading for him have not been thinking about making an extension part of it. He is going to make a lot of money on his next deal so it makes sense that teams may just look at him as short-term help.
That would allow him to chase a Stanley Cup this year but then make a decision of his own during the off-season on his long-term future. Right now, it is just about seeing which team it is that will acquire him in a trade. Right now, he is the top available player at the deadline.
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