Jake Guentzel (? James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

The waiting game continues for Jake Guentzel ahead of NHL Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Hunter Crowther | Last updated 3/7/24

We’re just one day away from the NHL Trade Deadline, and things are really starting to heat up. The Pittsburgh Penguins are at the center of the remaining trade speculation, as forward Jake Guentzel is the biggest trade chip remaining. Despite Guentzel being on on LTIR with a shoulder injury, SportsNet Pittsburgh reporter Dan Potash reported that the winger was practicing with the club on Thursday.

Guentzel is practicing with the team. Acciari and Harkins are practicing as well. Drew O'Connor (concussion) is not.

— Dan Potash (@DanPotashTV) March 7, 2024

On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss what are the Penguins’ options for moving the former 40-goal scorer ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Tyler Yaremchuk : Let’s start with Jake Guentzel, what is the latest on him and who is involved? You mentioned that it’s turning into a buyer’s market for depth adds, does that also apply to the big names like Guentzel?

Frank Seravalli: No, the Pittsburgh Penguins are holding firm on a pretty expensive price. What that ends up being? I don’t know, but it starts with a Grade-A prospect and a first-round pick. Where it goes from there, they’re holding him up for auction.

Guentzel update: Not definitive, but sounds like teams in mix are CAR, FLA, NYR, VAN and VGK.

Unless something changes, belief is FLA + VAN have made strong push but don’t have goods to pull it off.

Of note: VGK could potentially create more cap room if Martinez goes on LTIR.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2024

I reported yesterday of five teams that are authentically in the mix. I don’t know if there are additional ones beyond that, but the main five are the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights. Now when it comes to Florida and Vancouver, they’ve put their best foot forward and they don’t know if they have the goods to get him.

That would leave New York, Vegas and Carolina. Some think Carolina is the favourite. When it comes to the Hurricanes, we’ve talked about what they need in the playoffs, and a 40-goal scorer like Guentzel would push them over the edge.

You can watch the full episode here…