Most of you have already seen the news, but this is just a quick news bulletin and overview. A more in-depth overview will be coming soon.
So the Pittsburgh Penguins have made a major trade involving star forward Jake Guentzel. The Penguins have dealt Guentzel along with defenseman Ty Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a package of players, prospects, and draft picks.
Trade Details:
- Penguins trade Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith to the Carolina.
- In return, Penguins acquire forward Michael Bunting, prospects Vasily Ponomarev, Villie Koivunen, and Cruz Lucius.
- Additionally, Penguins receive two conditional draft picks:
- Penguins receive a second-round pick, which could escalate to a first-round pick if the Hurricanes advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
- Penguins also secure a fifth-round pick if the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.
Impact on the Penguins:
- The departure of Jake Guentzel, a key offensive weapon, will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the Penguins’ lineup. Guentzel’s scoring ability and playoff experience will be sorely missed.
- However, the acquisition of Michael Bunting and promising prospects offers the Penguins a chance to inject new talent into their roster and potentially fill the void left by Guentzel’s departure.
- The conditional draft picks are interesting to say the least, not securing a straight up 1st round pick weakens the deal.
Fan Reaction and Speculation:
- Penguins fans are divided to say the least in their reaction to the trade. While some are disappointed to see Guentzel leave, others are intrigued by the potential of the players and picks acquired in return, others are straight infuriated by the deal, believing that Guentzel was traded for to little.
- Speculation is rife about the Penguins’ motives behind the trade and how the newly acquired assets will fit into the team’s long-term plans.
I would urge fans not to overreact just yet, you will need to see how the prospects turn out first.
Two individuals have to exit stage left for this franchise to rebound. Sully should have been shown the door months ago. And as foar as Dubas, or so appropriately called Dufus, he should have never been hired to turn a Hextall depleted roster around. There is a reason why Brendan Shanahan didn’t retain him in Toronto. He has little eye for talent unless it is right in front of his face. And what exactly did he do in his tenure with the Leafs. They had better pray Sid resigns or else this organization is in peril pf a repeat of 2003-2005. The biggest mistake the Pens made was not allowing JR to be the GM. Moorehouse played Dictator for aging player movement. He started the Avalanche with hiring Hextall.
far not foar and of not pf for the above. Pardon the finger fudges above.
Hey Caleb,
For me, my problem is that I do believe that had Kyle Dufus should have traded with Vancouver earlier this season, netting a full, not conditional 1st round pick, a far more viable and younger winger and what looks to be a really good Defensive prospect. Maybe underwunderkin got the best deal he could at this point, but while he waited far too long.
Since we texted, I did get a chance to watch some video, I do think Koivunen will be the best asset recovered from this latest debacle from Penguin GMs. He has a really good, quick, release, and accurate shot from within a 20′-0″ arc around the front of the net. He also has good hands around the net.
Your boy, Ponomarev looks more like a playmaker than a shooter. From what I watched, he has good vision and a penchant for back-door passing. I really didn’t see any really hard, explosive shots from a distance.
Lucius looks scrappy and finished his checks in the little bit of video I saw. He also barged into the crease. Pray Sully is gone by the time he leaves U Wisc., else it would appear Lucius will not get a snowballs chance.
Do I think Dufus maximized Guentzel’s value? – NO.
However, given the circumstances, at least 1 of these Prospects should make the NHL.
And as I texted you, my last hope for this season is that the call comes down from above to Smellivan to park the veterans (Carter needs to be glued to a seat in the press box but don’t stop there), bring up Poulin and Ponomarev ASAP and inset them into the lineup to see what they can do against NHL level talent, playing alongside NHL level talent, and whet their appetite for next season. Once Liiga is over, bring Koivunen and insert him as well.