Alternative Top Option Emerges for Penguins if Guentzel Needs to be Dealt
Jake Guentzel is entering the final year of his current contract and may be getting moved if the Penguins cannot work a deal out.
Guentzel's Contract Situation
Entering the final year of his 5 year $30 million deal, Jake Guentzel has proved to be worth the contract.
In each season of his contract, he scored over a 70-point pace with his best season being in 2021-22 where he scored 40 goals and 84 points in 76 games which translates to a 90-point pace.
However, last season was a bit of a step back where Guentzel scored 73 points in 78 games. If he is able to bounce back to his 90-point pace next season, the Penguins may not be able to retain him as he would enter unrestricted free agency.
Potential Trade
This mock trade would accomplish two major things. First off, it would give the Penguins a 100-point player to fill the hole Guentzel leaves immediately.
Secondly, it would give the Penguins a player who would be cheaper than Guentzel for the foreseeable future. Nugent-Hopkins' contract comes in at only $5.125 million for the next six seasons.
On the other hand, the Oilers would acquire a player who could exceed expectations alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
While Guentzel scored less than Nugent-Hopkins last year, he was not playing with the two best point producers in the NHL and was not on the most lethal powerplay of the 21st century.
While the Oilers are getting the better player, they pick up the risk of Guentzel leaving in free agency but if they can entice him by having him play alongside McDavid, he would likely be willing to resign in Edmonton.
| POLL | ||
Who says no in this trade? | ||
| Edmonton | 187 | 21.1 % |
| Pittsburgh | 250 | 28.2 % |
| Neither (deal goes through) | 449 | 50.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
