Belief Growing Penguins Extend Jake Guentzel
The Pittsburgh Penguins signing Jake Guentzel to a new deal is coming stronger.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have been the center of attention with the trade deadline two weeks away, and one name has grabbed everyone’s attention. When people discuss the Penguins, the talk usually turns to what the future may hold for Jake Guentzel.
Currently out with an upper-body injury, Guentzel is expected to be moved before the trade deadline on March 8. Despite the Penguins likely trading Guentzel, there is still belief that he isn’t going anywhere.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, other teams believe the Penguins may still try to extend Guentzel.
“The whole Guentzel thing, again… there are teams out there that still believe they’re going to keep him,” Friedman said. “Keep him to sign him.”
Keeping Guentzel and giving him a long-term extension has always been a possibility, but an unlikely one considering the situation. Guentzel is nearing 30, and Kyle Dubas wants to make the team younger. The Penguins might be flying to a rebuild, while Guentzel wishes to compete every season.
Dubas said it’s up to the Penguins to decide what direction the team heads. While Becoming buyers is unlikely, if they can string together a few wins, they might not see too many faces leave.
If the Penguins can find ways to get back in the playoff hunt, Guentzel will be a guy piece. His goal-scoring ability is unmatched and not showing up in the lineup anywhere else.
While it’s likely Guentzel’s days as a Penguin have ended, some teams seem confident he’s not going anywhere.
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