NHLTR Mock Trade: Penguins trade Jake Guentzel to the Edmonton Oilers

Trade season is upon us and expect to see a flurry of mock trades published before the March 8 trade deadline. Last season we hit on an impressive 20% of the deals posted, and this season we're shooting for 35%. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to make multiple trades ahead of the deadline as Kyle Dubas isn't satisfied with how things have played out this season and is looking to get younger moving forward. Here's a recent quote from Dubas on Guentzel, which puts quite a bit of writing on the wall ahead of the deadline, even though Guentzel is currently injured:

Here is the full answer from Kyle Dubas when asked about Jake Guentzel's future with the Penguins: pic.twitter.com/4NlGpzM09Q

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) February 21, 2024

MOCK TRADE: Guentzel (50% retained) to the Edmonton Oilers for Dylan Holloway, Warren Foegele, Xavier Bourgault & '24 first-round pick.

Dubas would be cashing in here nicely here. Guetnzel's a prolific goal scorer who has a decorated resume and has posted 22 goals and 52 points in 50 games this season. If he's moved, it's four pieces heading the other way. Holloway has a top-six power forward ceiling who hasn't been as consistent as hoped so far in his very young Oilers' career. Bourgault is a former first-rounder who has a ton of offensive upside, meanwhile Foegele is included to make the dollars make sense. 

The Oilers would also be holding onto top defensive prospect Philip Broberg, who could be moved ahead of the deadline as GM Ken Holland looks to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is a complete mess and now Dubas is looking to clean things up for the future of the organization.

Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports