Blockbuster trade expected to happen by tomorrow evening

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Jim
March 5, 2024 (5:14 PM)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling as of late. New Penguins and former Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas traded for defenseman Erik Karlsson over the off-season to try to give the team some new life and have one last run, but that has not worked out. Dubas now looks to sell some of the team, including this star, maybe as soon as tomorrow night.

According to NHL insider Darren Dreger of The Fourth Period, forward Jake Guenztel, someone who teams have been looking at, may be traded as soon as tomorrow evening. The asking price of Pittsburgh is a first round pick, a young NHL player, and some prospects. However, there is some leeway depending on the player/prospect offered to Pittsburgh.

Sources say the Penguins are hoping to have a trade in place for Jake Guentzel by tomorrow evening. Pittsburgh is open to quality over quantity in return, but would like a 1st, young NHL player, plus prospects. Flexibility comes in the calibre of prospect or roster player.

On top of that, insider Chris Johnston of The Athletic says that no contract extension is going to be worked out as part of the trade.

The expectation is that Guentzel will be dealt by the #pens as a rental. It doesn't sound like potential acquiring teams have shown much interest in trying to work out an extension as part of the trade.

Jake Guentzel is still just 29 years old. This season, he has 22 goals and 30 assists, tallying up to 52 points in 50 games.

Guentzel is a good winger and is producing fairly well, but giving up that much for a one-year rental is still a lot, especially without any guarantee of a contract extension.