Penguins Wrap: Guentzel Moves On; Playoffs Grow More Distant

The Pittsburgh Penguins gave away copies of their 2023-24 yearbook as a promotion at their game against Philadelphia Feb. 25.

Speculation in the days leading up to the NHL trade deadline suggested that they might want to consider offering an updated version of it because, in the wake of all their personnel moves they were expected to make, the yearbook would look a lot different than it did when the past week began.

Turns out, there were only a couple of revisions to the major-league roster, the most important being Jake Guentzel’s departure to Carolina.

Anyway, perhaps it’s fortunate for the Penguins that they won’t have to put together a new version. After all, if they had, they would have had to make sure to distribute it before the end of the regular season, since they almost certainly will sit out the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive spring.

Here’s a look at what was an eventful week for the Penguins:

Saturday

The Penguins give up three unanswered goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation as a 3-1 lead mutates into a 4-3 loss in Calgary.

The Penguins’ self-destruction against the Flames was just the latest in a series of late-game meltdowns.

Here are some of the Penguins players most likely to change teams during the week ahead.

Washington waives center Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Sunday

The Penguins’ lost weekend concludes with a resounding 6-1 loss at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

The Penguins were overwhelmed and outclassed by the Oilers during their loss in Edmonton.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has run out of time to decide whether he should be an aggressive seller at the NHL trade deadline.

The Penguins reportedly want prospects, not draft picks, in any trade for Jake Guentzel.

Monday

Kyle Dubas’ inaction is responsible for the mess that this Penguins season has become.

The most important thing the Penguins can get from trades made as the NHL trade deadline approaches isn’t prospects or draft choices.

Former Penguins winger Alex Nylander records a hat trick in Columbus’ 4-2 victory over Vegas.

New Jersey, another struggling Metropolitan Division team, fires coach Lindy Ruff.

The Penguins put winger Matthew Phillips on waivers.

Tuesday

The Penguins snap their three-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory over Columbus at PPG Paints Arena.

Drew O’Connor, playing center on the third line, leaves the Columbus game with a concussion.

Given the circumstances, it’s no surprise that the Penguins’ performance against the Blue Jackets was up and down.

Kris Letang describes the Penguins’ predicament after their three-game losing streak as “awful.”

With Noel Acciari and Jansen Harkins unavailable because of injuries, the Penguins recall Joona Koppanen from their farm team in Wilkes-Barre.

A report from TSN, a Canadian networks, says the Penguins would like to finalize a Jake Guentzel trade two days before the deadline.

The Washington Capitals, who lost winger Matthew Phillips to the Pittsburgh Penguins on waivers in mid-February, reclaim him.

Wednesday

The Penguins remain mathematically alive in the playoff race, but their schedule isn’t promising.

What are the most logical places for Jake Guentzel to end up, and what kind of return can the Penguins expect?

No-trade clauses can complicate teams’ efforts to pull off deals.

Defenseman Ryan Graves’ two-assist game against Columbus was the latest in a series of improved showings for him.

Thursday

The Penguins trade Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith to Carolina for a package that includes winger Michael Bunting.

Writing in the Toronto Star, former NHLer Nick Kypreos skewers Kyle Dubas for his performance as GM of the Maple Leafs.

The Washington Capitals humiliate the Penguins, 6-0, at PPG Paints Arena.

Sidney Crosby and Mike Sullivan discuss what it’s like for the Penguins to lose Jake Guentzel as a co-worker.

The early verdict: Penguins got an underwhelming return in the Jake Guentzel trade.

Assessing what the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes could offer in a trade for Jake Guentzel.

Jake Guentzel, still on the Long-Term Injured list, participates in the Penguins’ game-day skate.

Friday

The Penguins weren’t as active as expected as the NHL trade deadline approached, but Kyle Dubas said he expects to make some major moves during the offseason.

It might not be a bad idea to hold off on judging the Jake Guentzel trade until the prospects the Penguins received get a chance to develop as pros. (+)

Evgeni Malkin apologizes to the fans who paid to watch the Penguins-Capitals game.

Although Michael Bunting had no idea Carolina was willing to trade him, he doesn’t mind that he’s ended up with the Penguins.

The Penguins get a fourth-round draft choice from the New York Rangers for defenseman Chad Ruhwedel.

Mike Bunting participates in his first practice with the Penguins, and injured right winger Bryan Rust is cleared for contact.

The Pittsburgh Penguins swap minor-league goalies with Florida, with the Panthers getting Magnus Hellberg and the Penguins landing Ludovic Waeber and a conditional seventh-round draft choice.