Josh Yohe and Rob Rossi of The Athletic write that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a big decision to make on star winger Jake Guentzel as the team enters the free agency period. The perennial 30-goal scorer has a year left on his contract at the bargain price of $6MM and is just a year away from reaching unrestricted free agency. Guentzel’s extension is a delicate balancing act for the Penguins as they are likely at the tail end of their window to contend and they have a lot of needs, but Guentzel remains Sidney Crosby’s favorite linemate and is still highly productive.
Guentzel had 36 goals and 37 assists last season in 78 games in what a lot of people considered a down year for the 28-year-old. He and Crosby were still able to provide much of the scoring for the Penguins, but they did have several cold stretches where they weren’t able to find the net. The team faltered in these stretches due to the lack of a strong supporting cast.
Yohe and Rossi wonder if the Penguins might considering trading Guentzel rather than signing him. The return for the player would likely allow the Penguins to fill in some of the many holes they have, but it would create big hole in their top-6 on Crosby’s wing. Yohe and Rossi point out the risk involved would be great, but signing a small, slow forward to a lucrative long-term deal on the wrong side of thirty carries a great deal of risk as well.
The Athletic projects that Guentzel’s next contract could have an average annual value around $9.2MM. That would make him the highest paid Penguin, and while Guentzel has been incredibly consistent throughout his career, he would spend much of his next contract without the benefit of Sidney Crosby as his center.
Guentzel is also one of the few roster players the Penguins have who doesn’t have trade protection, meaning that if Dubas and company want to turn over their underwhelming roster then Guentzel might be the biggest trade chip they could dangle.
Yeah, trade the bum! Detroit will take him. Larkin, Guentzel, Perron would look pretty good together!
How is this guy worth an AAV of $9M+? He is a good wing in the top 6but I would argue that be ought to top out at $7 5 AAV
yeah, he aint worth $9M w/o Sid.
that’s just it. without sid dishing him the puck, there are maybe a handful of other players he could put similar numbers up with. outside of them, he’s probably more like a high 20s goal scorer.
As long as Sid is active you will not trade his wing.
Guentzel is overrated, without Crosby he’s probably a 20 goal guy, definitely not a star player, an All star appearance probably won’t happen either
Move him. And acquire some youngsters with speed or draft picks. Pittsburgh and the Crosby era is over. Time to face reality and reboot.
Right now, I’d agree here. But with lengthy contracts on the books for their aging core, this might not be the smartest move for the Penguins. Any rebuild that starts now will take at least 2 years longer than your normal rebuild because of the sheer number of assets/sweeteners it’ll take to move out contracts. They could as well spend those 2 years with trying to be competitive.
So putting him beside McDavid is a good idea. Or Eichel.
How to make that work?
Not on the first count: is there a team in the NHL that needs yet more offense LESS than Edmonton?
I’d listen hard on him. We don’t have much to trade, so anything we can move for assets, we have to strongly consider it. Especially when the role can be filled with a free agent, given how much cap space we’d have at that point.
I doubt there are many people left still deluded enough to think that Pittsburgh can delay the rebuild any longer. Guentzel’s the biggest chip they can put into play, and he’s young enough and valuable enough that he’d bring a solid return. Can’t imagine many Pens fans *like* the prospect, but there you go.
Anaheim would be a good fit playing along side Zegras or McTavish coming the other way would be a guess but Comtois or even Vatrano..
Since you’re tossing out dumb idea trades I’ll do a few myself. Guentzel for Gibson and a first or Guentzel for the second overall pick. Seriously dude u could get Vatrano or Comtois for like a 4th rd pick.
Sorry to piss u off man
the Penguins should trade Jake Guentzel to the Flames for Tyler Toffoli
to add another name to the “I will not sign here long-term list”?
Carolina for a 1st, Drury and rights to pujarvi
Jake is absolutely not a lesser player without Sid. I don’t miss a penguin game, and anytime sid was ever out, Jake steps up. He’s played well with various other players. His hockey IQ is extremely high, he has skill on both sides of the puck, hes a clutch player including the playoffs. And his Jake Shakes at the milkshake factory are tasty
Trade him, he’s a gritty scorer that could net the pens some much needed youth