Report: Destinations emerge as potential landing spots if Penguins trade Jake Guentzel

It sure sounds like Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is starting to think as many of us have already been feeling for a while.

As we discussed Monday at “Breakfast With Benz,” the Penguins’ 1-3 road trip through the Pacific Northwest ended so badly in Calgary and Edmonton, that Dubas really should have no other option than to sell off current players for future assets in advance of Friday’s trade deadline.

That includes looking to trade former All-Star Jake Guentzel, who is set to be a free agent in the summer.

Now, via Pierre LeBrun, there’s a report to back up that sentiment.

The TSN and RDS Hockey Insider posted on social media Monday that, “The sense is the Penguins after that road trip have a very clear sense of what needs to be done before Friday’s deadline. And charting a course accordingly. Exploring all options with view to bolster the club for the future.”

The sense is the Penguins after that road trip have a very clear sense of what needs to be done before Friday's deadline. And charting a course accordingly. Exploring all options with view to bolster the club for the future. Hearing there's 6-plus legit suitors for Guentzel, VGK…

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 4, 2024

LeBrun went on to state that there are at least six “legit suitors” for Guentzel. He specifically named the Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights.

Vancouver makes lots of sense. Their 85 points lead the Western Conference. But they’ve been stumbling of late and could use a boost, having dropped six of eight.

Not to mention the Canucks have Jim Rutherford as president of hockey operations, Patrik Allvin as general manager and Rick Tocchet as head coach. They were all around Guentzel in various capacities when he was part of the 2017 Stanley Cup team and beyond.

Rutherford and Allvin might have to make some salary-cap maneuvers in order to pull off a deal, depending on what other trade plans they have. Vancouver has $3.375 million in space. Guentzel’s remaining daily cap hit is $1.375 million, according to CapFriendly.com.

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As TSN points out, the Canucks are also without a pick in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. But the franchise does have Boston University defenseman Tom Willander and Orebro HK forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki in the system. Both are in the top 10 of TSN director of scouting Craig Button’s top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects. Also, the team recently promoted 2019 first-rounder Vasily Podkolzin. He’s a 6-foot-1, 190-pound, 22-year-old right wing.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported that Dubas is seeking prospects more so than picks. That’s a wise choice.

As for Vegas, they might have a little more salary-cap space to play with, given that Mark Stone is on long-term injured reserve. Jack Eichel returned to action Monday during a loss in Columbus for the first time since Jan. 11 thanks to a knee injury.

He and Guentzel could provide significant pop for a Vegas team that has lost eight of its last 10. The defending Stanley Cup champs have 73 points and are just a point ahead of falling into wild-card territory.

Brendan Brisson, a 2020 first-round pick, and David Edstrom, a 2023 selection, have been dangled as names the Penguins could be eying in return from Vegas. Brisson’s father, Pat, is an agent whose client list has included the likes of Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Nathan MacKinnon, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

The Edmonton Oilers have also been brought up in conversations. But Sportsnet’s Mark Spector seemed dubious of their chances after LeBrun’s report was posted.

It's my belief that EDM will not be able to match the best offer for Guentzel - likely Vegas.
You never know, but I'm expecting Holland to shop from the "rest of the market" and still have plenty of choice. https://t.co/pJXflhOXBP

— Mark Spector????????????????(@SportsnetSpec) March 4, 2024

Guentzel has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of 12 teams to which he would not accept a trade.

During our “Madden Monday” podcast this week, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive also floated out Florida as a possible destination because Guentzel may have an interest in staying there beyond the rest of this year once he hits free agency. But Madden also said not to rule out the Penguins potentially extending Guentzel’s contract despite all the chatter to the contrary.

I say trade Guentzel now and get in return what you can. If it is possible to bring him back in free agency over the summer, so be it.

Listen: This week’s Gerger Construction “Madden Monday” podcast on the Pens’ struggles and trade options, Steelers’ QB talk and the Pirates at spring training.