ESPN Reports Penguins ‘Sky High’ Asking Price on Guentzel

The Pittsburgh Penguins control their playoff fate with games in hand and being close enough to the teams they’re chasing that if those games in hand are converted to wins, the Penguins would be in a playoff spot. Yet the NHL trade rumors continue to swirl around injured left winger Jake Guentzel.

Tuesday, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas has put Guentzel on the trade block, but perhaps not with the intent of trading him.

According to Kaplan, the Penguins want multiple first-round picks or a first-rounder and commensurate young talent in return. Reportedly, one rival GM was not thrilled with the price tag.

“I’ve heard the asking price on Guentzel is multiple first-round picks, or a first-round pick and equivalent in top prospects or roster players,” Kaplan reported. “One rival executive said, ‘the Guentzel asking price is ridiculous.'”

Guentzel, 29, accompanied the Penguins on their four-game western road trip through Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, and Edmonton. However, he is on long-term injured reserve until at least March 10 with an upper-body injury. He is a pending unrestricted free agent as his current six-year, $36 million deal will expire on June 30.

Various reports have repeatedly linked the Edmonton Oilers to Guentzel. The Vegas Golden Knights are another of the several teams that have been frequently mentioned.

Dubas stated the team results and playoff standing would dictate his position leading to the March 8 NHL trade NHL. Currently, the Penguins trail the Philadelphia Flyers by seven points with four games in hand. The Penguins also trail the Tampa Bay Lightning by seven points but have five games in hand.

The team has won three games in a row, beginning with wins against the Montreal Canadiens and Flyers before the Penguins’ gritty comeback win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

The Penguins face the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena.