![]() Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel left Wednesday's game with injury. What could be the ramifications, and what was the latest trade speculation before the injury?
Trying to determine what the Pittsburgh Penguins will do about Jake Guentzel has been a favourite guessing game for NHL pundits.
Guentzel, 29, is slated to become a UFA on 1 July. He's among the Penguins' leading scorers and would become the biggest name in the trade market if they make him available. However, some observers wonder if they'll instead attempt to re-sign him. Further muddying the waters was Guentzel's upper-body injury suffered during the Penguins' 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. If it's serious, The Hockey News Pittsburgh's Nick Horwat speculated it could spell the end of the Penguins' playoff hopes as well as the end of Guentzel on the trade boards. Before Guentzel got hurt, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Penguins were willing to see how this month plays out before deciding whether to sign or trade him. GM Kyle Dubas has played his cards close to the vest but could lean toward shopping Guentzel if the Penguins fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Horwat also cited Friedman suggesting Dubas could seek something comparable to what the Philadelphia Flyers received two years ago in the Claude Giroux trade. That deal saw the Panthers ship their 2024 first-round pick, 2023 third-rounder and winger Owen Tippett to the Flyers. In other words, Dubas would want a return that helps his club right away as well as for their long-term future. However, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Penguins GM has not yet put a price tag on Guentzel. While he's receiving calls about the winger, he hasn't reached the asking price stage yet. If Guentzel isn't seriously injured, he will continue to draw interest in the trade market. The Colorado Avalanche might be a perfect fit. The Oilers could have their eyes on the Penguins winger as well.
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