Canucks In The Mix For Jake Guentzel; Jim Rutherford Looking Like He Wants To Go All In
The Vancouver Canucks are in the mix for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - Canucks In The Mix For Jake Guentzel; Jim Rutherford Looking Like He Wants To Go All InThe Vancouver Canucks are in the mix for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.
Despite the reported hefty price, reports suggest that the Canucks could still go all in on the winger.
"The Canucks still have interest in Guentzel," Rick Dhaliwal said on Monday. "The Canucks preference is to not trade another first-round pick, but that would be impossible for a Guentzel trade. The Penguins would want a first-rounder and maybe a couple of young guys who can play right now."
He goes on to report that if the Canucks can do a sign-and-trade deal, they would be willing to give a first-round pick. Vancouver wouldn't want to include that pick if this were a pure rental.
"I'm definitely hearing they are in on Guentzel," Dhaliwal said. "The asking price is going to be massive. You can re-sign the player, I guess. Or you can do a sign and trade."
According to Dhaliwal, the projected AAV for Guentzel would be around $8-9 million.
Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported a similar return for Guentzel.
"I've heard the asking price on Guentzel is multiple first-round picks (or a first-round pick and equivalent in top prospects or roster players)," Kaplan writes. "One rival executive said 'the Guentzel asking price is ridiculous."
Guentzel is familiar with Jim Rutherford and his deadline style of going all in. The Canucks have been working out Phil Kessel and have not made a decision on him yet, but bringing in Guentzel would be a perfect addition to the top-six forwards.
The trade deadline is eight days away, so if this move is going to happen, it will happen within a week.
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