According to an NHL analyst, the Pittsburgh Penguins must keep Jake Guentzel to push for a championship.

PITTSBURGH – It hasn’t been an easy year for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they’ve hit a new stride since ending a four-game losing streak in early December. With a 12-5-4 record in their last 21 games, the Penguins are slowly climbing the standings and pushing for a playoff spot.

While the Penguins continue their ascent, many wonder what the future may hold for Jake Guentzel. He’s in the final year of his contract, and trade rumors and speculation run wild for multiple months.

There have been conflicting reports about an offer from Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, but Guentzel said himself no such conversations have begun. Despite nothing yet on the table, one analyst believes the Penguins won’t go far without Guentzel in their lineup.

Former Penguins broadcaster Bob Errey, now an analyst with NHL Network, said their focus as a front office should be finding an extension for Guentzel in Pittsburgh.

“Are they going to make a move? They’re going to have to sign Jake Guentzel," Errey said. "That’s the move they’re going to have to make. If you’re going to win a Stanley Cup, you want Jake Guentzel in your lineup.”

Errey firmly believes that the Penguins have what it takes to make a good push for the postseason, and Guentzel would be a pivotal piece to the puzzle. He also noted that Dubas has built the Penguins to compete for another championship.

“You’re there to win,” Errey said. “Dubas has been brought in for the Stanley Cup. To bring the Cup back to Pittsburgh. I think they have to make a move. They have games in hand right now.”

Dubas stated before he still needed time to decide what direction to take the Penguins for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. With their recent stretch, the Penguins are earning the right to become buyers at the deadline.

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