Penguins Leave Door Open for Jake Guentzel Trade
The Pittsburgh Penguins are open to the idea of dealing Jake Guentzel before the deadline.
PITTSBURGH – Despite being on long-term injured reserve, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel has been the hottest topic surrounding the trade market. Insiders believe that the injury shouldn’t impact a possible trade, and Penguins president and GM Kyle Dubas honestly answered the situation.
Dubas said that Guentzel has meant so much to the Penguins and their recent success, but the team play this year has left a lot to be desired.
“I think the way our whole strategy plays out over the next two and a half weeks, how our team continues to play will dictate the short-term answer at the trade deadline,” Dubas said. “We’’ continue to have discussions leading up to that and then afterward.”
Of course, Dubas isn’t going to come out and bluntly say if he’s looking to deal Guentzel before the deadline, but he never closed the door on the idea. If the Penguins continue to struggle, he won’t have a choice.
“We have to take stock of where we’re at and be realistic that one of the issues we have is we need to get younger,” Dubas said. “We have to find a way to continue to have those solid veteran guys but also continue to get younger.”
Guentzel may be seen as a younger guy on the Penguins roster, but it’s easy to forget he’s almost 30 years old. He’s playing at an elite level, but Dubas made pretty clear there is a focus on finding youthful pieces.
The core group of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are all over 36 and aren’t going anywhere. They will anchor the Penguins’ average age, but younger faces around them will be vital.
Dubas understands how important Guentzel can be to the Penguins, but he’s leaving it up to the team to decide what they deserve. If they can’t prove to be worthy of an elite winger in the next few games, it’s likely Guentzel’s time in Pittsburgh has come to an end.
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