Insider Believes Penguins Should Move On From Jake Guentzel
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a tough spot with Jake Guentzel and some believe it's time to move on.
PITTSBURGH – As the league approaches the trade deadline and eventual push for the playoffs, one of the most interesting players to keep an eye on it Pittsburgh Penguins leading scorer Jake Guentzel. In the final year of his contract, pacing for over 90 points, and on a team not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, the Penguins will have a big decision to make.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff is of the belief it makes no sense for the Penguins to keep re-sign Guentzel at the end of the season.
“I don’t think it makes any sense for them to re-sign him. Zero sense,” Seravalli said. “Even if you think he’s an elite point-producing winger, why would you be signing him to a long-term deal? This team could miss the playoffs for a second straight year, do you want to sign him to a seven- or eight-year deal just to be on one of the worst teams in the league?”
Seravalli does understand that the Penguins organization has made a commitment to their veteran core and want to give them as much runway as possible to still have success. Guetnzel in the lineup provides the Penguins with all kinds of chances.
The Penguins are in a strange spot as they hit the 41st game of the season. They’re right outside of a playoff spot and could still make a strong push for the postseason. On the other hand, the wheels could fall off and they could miss for the second season in a row.
“Maybe they have to just grin and bear it and realized that the possibility might be that Guentzel ends up walking for nothing,” Seravalli said. “If they’re much further out of it… I think you have to make the tough decision in that moment in time… to really begin to jump start what is going to be a long and arduous rebuild.”
The Penguins have shown no signs of wanting to throw in the towel on the 2023-24 season or even their future with the core as they are still shooting for another Stanley Cup. Guentzel can help them achieve that dream, but if things are too far out of reach, he won’t be wearing black and gold after the trade deadline.
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