Insider: One Team Out Of Jake Guentzel Sweepstakes

The biggest name on the trade market remains Pittsburgh Penguins star winger Jake Guentzel. A number of Stanley Cup-hopeful teams are angling to try to bring in what would be the biggest deadline catch of all. But according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Edmonton Oilers won't be one of the teams in on the Guentzel sweepstakes.

Appearing on the Oilers Now podcast, Seravalli outlined that Edmonton simply doesn't have the horses (i.e. assets and funds) to win this race. 

I don’t really think Jake Guentzel is an option. As a pure rental, I don’t see them being in that mix. First off, they can’t afford him, and second, I don’t think he would want to re-sign in Edmonton anyway. In pencil, cross him off the list.

Guentzel is coming off a five-year, $30 million contract, and will be in for a big raise this summer in unrestricted free agency. He's been a point-per-game player for five or six years now, and is having another great season with 22 goals and 52 points in 50 games. He's been out for a couple of weeks with a hand injury, but is expected back around March 10th, just after the trade deadline. He skated in the morning optional skate for the first time on Saturday. 

In rumors that had been circulating, Oilers’ up-and-coming defense prospect Philip Broberg has been listed as possibly being a part of any Edmonton package offered up for Guentzel.

Pens GM Kyle Dubas addressed the media last week and made it clear that Guentzel, turning 30 next season, might have to be moved in order to make the team younger, as the two sides have made no progress on an extension.

The Penguins still have several other premium contenders trying to land the seven-time 20+ goal scorer. 

Photo: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports