Insiders: Unexpected Teams Should Target Former Penguins Star
A former superstar of the Pittsburgh Penguins could land in an unexpected market through free agency.
PITTSBURGH – After being traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the most recent trade deadline, Jake Guentzel is expected to be one of the top targets in free agency. After a 77-point season, including his fourth with over 30 goals, Guentzel has a chance to make big money anywhere he feels is best.
One thing about money is that it is far more guaranteed than another Stanley Cup run. Of course, any team with Guentzel on it automatically gets better, but what if a basement-dwelling team ends up winning the auction?
Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek didn’t speculate or have any backing to their beliefs, but they threw out some interesting teams that could use a boost from a guy like Guentzel. Friedman mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks on multiple occasions, while Marek suggested the San Jose Sharks.
When bringing up the Blackhawks, Friedman noted on the Jeff Marek Show that they want to expedite their rebuild process, and Guentzel would be a big name to play with Connor Bedard.
Beyond helping the growth of one of the best young players in the NHL, Friedman also noted the vicinity to home for Guentzel.
“Guentzel is a mid-west guy, Chicago is a mid-west location,” Friedman said. “Also, they do need to get players to play with Bedard.”
Guentzel was born in Omaha, Nebraska, just a state separated from Chicago, Illinois. With enough cap space and the budding superstar talent, the Blackhawks have plenty of ammunition to “bring him home.”
Marek focused more on the development of youngsters in choosing the Sharks. They recently signed top prospect Will Smith to an NHL contract and are expected to take Macklin Celebrini as the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. Adding Guentzel to a roster featuring future superstars helps push a rebuild in the right direction.
The Sharks also recently tore their roster down, thinking they would have a long rebuild ahead. They traded away faces like Erik Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Timo Meier but are suddenly about to have an influx of valuable youngsters.
“Wouldn’t they love to have to have Timo Meier back right now?” Marek asked. “Wouldn’t they love to have Tomas Hertl now that they’ve all of a sudden been gifted two centers that’ll be up the gut for them for the next 10 years? They’re going to need players to surround these guys with.”
If the Sharks feel they are ready to add names, Guentzel makes sense as a target for them. A veteran winger who can play with anyone and help grow the early stages of a future superstar’s career.
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