Kyle Dubas Gives His Thoughts on the Jake Guentzel Trade

On Thursday night, in the mist of one of the Penguins worst losses of the season to the Washington Capitals, Jake Guentzel was traded.

Although the official word of it did not come out until after the game with the details, it was probably something on the back of all the players minds.

Kyle Dubas Gives His Thoughts on the Decision to Trade Jake Guentzel

Kyle Dubas, the General Manager of the Penguins, talked about the decision to trade Guentzel and just how difficult it was to make that decision.


When asked about the trade, Dubas said:


See his full quote below.

Kyle Dubas called the decision to trade Jake Guentzel «one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in my time in management.» Full quote from Pittsburgh's President of Hockey Operations and GM: https://t.co/Hu8qTYHSA4 pic.twitter.com/aGly5ERx3N— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 8, 2024

Dubas Trades Guentzel and Ty Smith to the Hurricanes for Michael Bunting, Prospects and Two Draft Picks

In return for forward Jake Guentzel and Defenseman Ty Smith the Penguins received an NHL ready, Top 6 forward in Bunting from Carolina in addition to picks and prospects.

The Penguins have acquired forwards Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius, and conditional 2024 first-round and fifth-round draft picks from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Jake Guentzel and Ty Smith.— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 8, 2024

It seems pretty telling to me that Dubas had to include that Jake's contract was up after this season. The Hurricanes are most likely going to be using Jake Guentzel as a rental player for a push to win the Cup.

During the off-season, that is when we will see where Jake does end up with when he signs a new contract.