We’re just one day away from the NHL Trade Deadline, and things are really starting to heat up. The Pittsburgh Penguins are at the center of the remaining trade speculation, as forward Jake Guentzel is the biggest trade chip remaining. Despite Guentzel being on on LTIR with a shoulder injury, SportsNet Pittsburgh reporter Dan Potash reported that the winger was practicing with the club on Thursday.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss what are the Penguins’ options for moving the former 40-goal scorer ahead of Friday’s deadline.
Tyler Yaremchuk : Let’s start with Jake Guentzel, what is the latest on him and who is involved? You mentioned that it’s turning into a buyer’s market for depth adds, does that also apply to the big names like Guentzel?
Frank Seravalli: No, the Pittsburgh Penguins are holding firm on a pretty expensive price. What that ends up being? I don’t know, but it starts with a Grade-A prospect and a first-round pick. Where it goes from there, they’re holding him up for auction.
I reported yesterday of five teams that are authentically in the mix. I don’t know if there are additional ones beyond that, but the main five are the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights. Now when it comes to Florida and Vancouver, they’ve put their best foot forward and they don’t know if they have the goods to get him.
That would leave New York, Vegas and Carolina. Some think Carolina is the favourite. When it comes to the Hurricanes, we’ve talked about what they need in the playoffs, and a 40-goal scorer like Guentzel would push them over the edge.
You can watch the full episode here…
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