Blockbuster trade brewing between Oilers and Penguins!
It could turn into a three-team trade!
HockeyFeed
The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly in the market for top-six forwards, as were the Vancouver Canucks who grabbed of one the top options on the trade board in Elias Lindholm in Wednesday night’s blockbuster move. Edmonton now shifts its focus and Chris Johnston believes the Oilers could be targeting none other than Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As the Oilers look to fortify their forward lineup ahead of the deadline, Guentzel has emerged as a potential target for the Oilers. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, could fetch a draft pick, a prospect, and an NHL-ready player on the market. Johnston also points that Edmonton could take a closer look at Jordan Eberle of the Seattle Kraken, who could be tempted by a return to his former team.
“Oilers would like to add an impact forward before the deadline, names Guentzel and Eberle as possible targets, but Pens have not decided what they want to do with Guentzel, and Seattle is still in the wildcard race.”
The third round pick has been tremendous for Pittsburgh, putting up 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points in 46 games, just behind Crosby in points total on the team with 50.
Trade chatter has intensified on Guentzel, after it was reported by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos that the star forward has rejected a contract of about six years, worth around $8,5 million per season from the Penguins.
The Oilers could entice the Pnwnguins to pull the trigger on a package trade return that includes defenseman Cody Ceci, who has connections to both Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and GM Kyle Dubas from his time in Toronto. However, seeing that the Lindholm trade got the Flames, it is likely a Guentzel trade would need to include a first-round pick as well.
Both the Oilers and Penguins would also have to work around salary cap logistics to make such a blockbuster deal happen. This could be getting a third team involved to absorb some of the salary caps.
Penguins GM Dubas could upset his captain Sidney Crosby in trading Guentzel. However, the general manager likely will not pass up the opportunity for a significant return in a Guentzel trade.
With the uncertainty of Guentzel’s future in Pittsburgh and a rebuild looming, the Penguins might take a call from the Oilers after all.
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