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Jake Guentzel's Future With The Penguins Will Be Decided In The Next Few Weeks
Published February 21, 2024 at 9:42 PM
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Today a new report and new quotes from Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas have made the future for forward Jake Guentzel more clear.
Dubas Confirms His Plans Heading Into The Trade Deadline
With the NHL's trade deadline less than a month away many fans are wondering what the Pittsburgh Penguins plans are heading into the deadline. In a new interview, Dubas talked about where they are in the process.
«How our team continues to play will dictate the short-term answer at the trade deadline,» Dubas said of Guentzel. «We'll continue to have those discussions leading up to that and then afterwards with where it's at.»
Fans have been frustrated with the process this season of the Penguins. Kyle Dubas addressed that the patience and lack of moves is out of respect for the players and their past accomplishments.
I feel like, out of respect to the group here and what they've accomplished, I'm trying to be as patient as possible and give the group the time, Dubas said.
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After discussing the trade deadline in a more broad sense Dubas began to get specific. He shared some interesting thoughts on impending free agent Jake Guentzel.
Dubas Gives Insight On Guentzel's Future
Kyle Dubas begins his thoughts on Jake Guentzel by complimenting him and his impact on the Penguins to this point.
I understand how valuable he's been as a teammate, person in the community, contributor to helping the team win the Stanley Cup and so on and so forth, Dubas said. So it's important.
While understanding the value of Guentzel he then admits that the Penguins need to get younger. With Guentzel about to enter his 30s signing him to an extension would not accomplish this goal.
We have to take stock of where we're at and be realistic of the fact that one of the issues we have is we need to get younger, Dubas said. We have a lot of guys in their 30s signed. Some of them are some of the best players in the history of the franchise.
In the end, Dubas acknowledged that he and the Penguins front office need to find a way to balance youth with skill and talent. He seems to leave the door open for Guentzel to return on account of his talent.
It's tough with Jake, as I've said to him, because he's an excellent player and playing at an elite level, Dubas said. We have to find a way to continue to have those solid veteran guys but also continue to get younger at the same time.
How Kyle Dubas and the Penguins handle this trade deadline will be very revealing for the future of the team. Fans will get a look at the plans for the future and what Dubas and his staff will truly value most.
As Read On - Post Gazette - Jake Guentzel's Penguins future predicated on team's play in next few weeks
POLL | ||
February 21 | 198 answers Jake Guentzel's Future With The Penguins Will Be Decided In The Next Few Weeks Should the Pittsburgh Penguins trade Jake Guentzel? | ||
Yes | 125 | 63.1 % |
No | 73 | 36.9 % |
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