{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/KfUSNWiw.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "At what point should the Pittsburgh Penguins consider trading forward Jake Guentzel?", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/KfUSNWiw-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/KfUSNWiw.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/KfUSNWiw.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 369845, "filesize": 8552670, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 516145, "filesize": 11935859, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1516151, "filesize": 35061005, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113742, "filesize": 2630292 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 540577, "filesize": 12500862, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KfUSNWiw-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 932565, "filesize": 21565570, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "One of the biggest reasons the Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t been a completely rudderless ship to start the 2023-24 season has been the MVP level efforts from Sidney Crosby." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "At the age of 36, Crosby is putting together one of his finest performances, yet isn’t the Penguins’ leading scorer through 31 games." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That honor goes to his linemate, Jake Guentzel who has a one-point edge on Crosby." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Guentzel holds 35 points split between 14 goals and a team-leading 21 assists; Crosby has the most goals on the team with 19 plus 15 assists for 34 points." } }, { "id": "bo0dar6j-igd4yw8c", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1735109503731761492", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1735109503731761492", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Despite not playing a single game during the preseason and spending most of training camp with other injured and non-roster players, Guentzel’s production has been a welcomed surprise." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Head coach Mike Sullivan spoke highly of Guentzel’s scoring touch before but called his play this year ‘critical’ to the Penguins success." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I think Jake just quietly goes about his business every day,” Sullivan said. “He’s been one of our most consistent players on both sides of the puck.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sullivan went further on Guentzel’s defensive acumen, saying his offense speaks for itself." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I think his defensive play flies under the radar,” Sullivan said. “I think he checks well. He has good awareness; he has a defensive conscience when we need him to.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Overall, you may not think of Guentzel as a top-notch defensive player, but one of the biggest features of most Penguins’ forwards is their ability to play both ends of the rink." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Just looking at the players on the first line it’s pretty evident, Crosby leads the Penguins in takeaways while Bryan Rust has been an important piece to the penalty kill." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Guentzel being able to add his own defensive play only makes that line stronger and one of the big reasons they remain one of the best lines in hockey." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I can’t say enough about his game,” Sullivan said. “He’s just a real good hockey player that brings a consistent effort every day.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Guentzel could end up being one of the most pivotal players in the Penguins locker room; he’s in the final year of his contract and if the team can’t put things together, he’ll be right at the top of every trade board as the deadline nears." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Defenseman to Participate in Spengler Cup" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins vs. Senators: Riding Hot Hands" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Matt Nieto Resumes Skating Before Penguins Practice" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Top Penguins Prospect Among Top Names to Watch at World Juniors" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Alex Nedeljkovic Found New Home with Penguins" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Jake Guentzel Brings More Than Just Scoring to Penguins