PITTSBURGH – As the Pittsburgh Penguins were facing off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, it was widely speculated that they were looking to trade Jake Guentzel within 24 hours. That timeline has come and gone, and the Vancouver Canucks emerged as a possible front-runner; Guentzel remained under the Penguins’ control.
That doesn’t mean a deal won’t happen. The Penguins want to make a deal, but they know what they want in return. According to Josh Yohe of the Atheltic, Kyle Dubas and the Penguins have no plans of budging on their asking price.
“From what I’ve been told tonight, Jake Guentzel isn’t going to Vancouver unless Kyle Dubas’ asking price goes down," he tweeted.
Guentzel is by far the biggest trade piece the Penguins possess and it makes perfect sense that they would keep their price high. The Canucks want Guentzel but don’t appear able to afford what the Penguins are looking for.
Rumored asking prices have centered around prospects over draft picks. Dubas believes this Penguins team can get right back in the fight for a playoff spot, they’ll just need some younger help. Prospects on the cusp of cracking an NHL roster are exactly what he’s looking for.
While the Canucks aren’t totally out of the running, multiple teams are also still in on the auction. A team like the Carolina Hurricanes may have what it takes to afford Guentzel, but they’ll have to out-bid other potential suitors.
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