Penguins Address Jake Guentzel Trade Rumors

PITTSBURGH – The NHL hasn’t even reached the All-Star break yet and the Pittsburgh Penguins are already under a pretty large microscope, thanks to a certain upcoming unrestricted free agent. Jake Guentzel is playing in the final year of his contract and has yet to have much discussion about an extension with the Penguins.

Thanks to no talks, no new deal, and a Penguins team still not in a playoff spot, it only makes sense that trade speculation around Guentzel would pop up. Rumors have swirled about an asking price for the goal scorer and his agent has chimed in on a few occasions.

According to Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas, he has not opened any talks with teams about a trade. Dubas spoke on the bi-weekly GM Show with Josh Getzoff and said a conversation will be had with Guentzel about his future, but he has not been shopping the forward.

“We haven’t had any discussions with teams about Jake,” Dubas said. “So, anything out there is pure speculation. It’s really as simple as that.”

Dubas stated that he will continue to evaluate where things stand with Guentzel and the team as a whole and will talk with Guentzel around the All-Star break.

“We’ll continue to go through the season here and I’ll continue to evaluate where we’re at,” Dubas said. “Either after the All-Star break or after the season we’ll do what’s best for everybody. Best for the Penguins, best for Jake.”

The Penguins are just one point out of a playoff spot and could quickly find their way among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Guentzel would be a key piece to a long playoff run if things go right.

With the team right on the cusp of important hockey to be played in Spring, it’s more than likely that Dubas and the Penguins will hold onto Guentzel through the trade deadline. When it comes to the offseason, however, it seems like there are still a few different directions things could go.