Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel, an unrestricted free agent after this season, has garnered a lot of attention as a potential trade target. The winger is currently out with an upper-body injury but skated individually after the Penguins team practice on Monday. He’s eligible for return from LTIR as soon as March 10th, two days after the trade deadline. Prior to the injury, Guentzel was leading the Penguins in scoring with 22 goals and an additional 52 assists through 50 games.
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Drafted by the Penguins in 2013, Guentzel made his debut for the team in the 2016-2017 season, which culminated in the Penguins Stanley Cup win against the Nashville Predators. He played a large role in that Cup run, recording 21 points in the playoffs and tying the record for playoff points recorded by a rookie. Guentzel has notably played the role of the left-wing on Sidney Crosby’s line, generating consistent offense for a Penguins team that hasn’t always had strong depth scoring.
Currently, the Penguins sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division and sixth in the Wild Card race, 2 points back from the New York Islanders. The question Pittsburgh management must face is: Do the Penguins consider the season done and turn their attention towards the future of the organization or do they attempt to remain as competitive as possible to give the core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang another chance at a playoff run?
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas held a press conference last week and addressed the Guentzel situation. He cited the organization’s desire to get younger as a potential issue with re-signing Guentzel. However, it has been reported that the Penguins asking price for Guentzel is not cheap. Dubas and team are reportedly seeking multiple first-round picks or top prospects and roster players.
So far, Guentzel has been linked to several teams ahead of the trade deadline, with Elliotte Friedman noting Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Florida, and Carolina as potential interested parties. As Guentzel appears to be making progress with his injury and should be able to return within a few weeks, teams have not been deterred from pursuing a trade. A deal is likely to come down to what a team is willing to give up for Guentzel. The Penguins won’t want to give up Guentzel’s production and skill for nothing. The winger has a career 219 goals and has consistently generated offense when healthy and played a significant role for the Penguins in their playoff appearances. Playoff-bound teams that are looking to bolster their roster may find that it’s worth asking a high price to secure Guentzel’s skill and playoff experience.
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While it’s uncertain where Guentzel will finish this season, it is clear that he can contribute wherever he ends up. The Penguins now have to decide if Guentzel still fits into their plan or if looking toward a younger future is the new priority.
