Report - Pittsburgh Penguins ready to move on from biggest asset in trade
Published March 1, 2024 at 12:14
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As the trade deadline approaches, many NHL players may have played their last game for their current teams.
Kyle Dubas may be shopping one Penguins superstar ahead of the deadline, Jake Guentzel.
Currently, the Penguins are seven points out of playoff contention, and Guentzel is a UFA who could fetch a high return if traded.
Kyle Dubas must figure out a way to fix Ron Hextall's mismanagement of talent; Guentzel isn't a fan of the possibility of being moved.
As he mentions, moving your entire life to a new place, learning a new system as well as getting your family accustomed to the new environment is an entire process he isn't fond of.
Considering that he dislikes trying on new gloves, a new team might not fit him like a glove if Dubas trades him.
«It's a lot more than you think it is,» Guentzel told The Athletic's Rob Rossi on Thursday. «It's moving everything. You're changing your whole lifestyle. You're meeting a bunch of new people, and if you've got a family it's just a lot. Then you've got to go play hockey, right?
«There's a different system, different guys to learn how to play with, where to go eat. It just seems like a lot of organizations are different in every aspect. How teams travel is different. You've got to get new gear – like, I don't like new gloves. That seems like a small thing, but I really don't like wearing new gloves. So it's something you think about in the back of your mind.»
«There's a different system, different guys to learn how to play with, where to go eat. It just seems like a lot of organizations are different in every aspect. How teams travel is different. You've got to get new gear – like, I don't like new gloves. That seems like a small thing, but I really don't like wearing new gloves. So it's something you think about in the back of your mind.»
The winger may be a cap casualty since he is due a raise and his $6 Million AAV does not align with Dubas' long-term plans.
When the 2023-2024 trade deadline approaches, Guentzel is expected to be the biggest rental on the market. Currently, the Vancouver Canucks appear to be the biggest bidders on the market for the two-time 40-goal scorer.
«I don't know if you can get away from it,» he reflected. «And if you want to stay, that doesn't make dealing with it any easier. I think it makes it harder. I'm just trying to play hockey. There's nothing I can really do. It's out of my control. I just want to win here while I'm here.»
As a proven playoff performer with 52 points in 50 games this season, Guentzel will also fetch a lot.
The forward will not be available until after March, due to an upper-body injury, and may be the Penguins' best bet to help start the re-tool.
As Seen On: clutchpoints.com
| POLL | ||
March 1 | 159 answers Report - Pittsburgh Penguins ready to move on from biggest asset in trade Do you think Jake Guentzel will be traded? | ||
| Yes | 117 | 73.6 % |
| No | 42 | 26.4 % |
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