Breaking News: Penguins Super Star Still An Asset In The NHL Trade Market
As the NHL trade deadline looms just a week away on March 8, Jake Guentzel has emerged as a prominent subject of trade speculation among the media. Despite being sidelined by an upper-body injury until March 10, the 29-year-old winger’s market value remains unaffected.
According to reports from Nick Horwat of The Hockey News, citing Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, several teams including the Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes are believed to have expressed interest in acquiring Guentzel.
Rick Dhaliwal, a Canucks insider, has indicated that the Canucks are still in contention for Guentzel. However, the potential return to the Pittsburgh Penguins would be significant. On the other hand, the Carolina Hurricanes view Guentzel as a potential key addition that could bolster their chances of contending for the Stanley Cup, as suggested by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.
Despite this, Hurricanes GM Don Waddell has emphasized the importance of acquiring a player with remaining term on their contract, whereas Guentzel is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Additionally, Friedman and Jeff Marek suggest that the Golden Knights are inclined to make a major move at the trade deadline, with Guentzel being seen as a possible solution to their injury-ridden lineup and need for additional scoring.
With captain Mark Stone potentially going on long-term injury reserve due to an upper-body injury, the Golden Knights could have the necessary salary cap space to absorb Guentzel’s $6 million cap hit, possibly with assistance from the Penguins by retaining part of it, albeit at an increased asking price.
Speaking of which, the Penguins are reportedly seeking a substantial return for Guentzel, preferably in the form of multiple first-round draft picks or a combination of a first-rounder and top prospects or roster players, as reported by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas may show flexibility as the deadline nears, but he remains focused on securing a deal that benefits his team both in the short term and in the future, potentially differentiating serious buyers from mere observers.