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Golden Knights Trade Candidate Report: Jake Guentzel

One of the biggest trade targets, Jake Guentzel has much to offer for the Vegas Golden Knights. But how big will the package to get him be?

By Jacob Walters |
Pittsburgh Penguins v Minnesota Wild
Pittsburgh Penguins v Minnesota Wild / Nick Wosika/GettyImages
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There's perhaps no bigger fish in the NHL trade pond right now than Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel. Numerous teams have contacted the Penguins about acquiring the winger, including the Vegas Golden Knights. A team needing forward depth will pay a hefty price, though.

Still, that's with good reason. Jake Guentzel has 22 goals and 30 assists in 50 games this season. He's also 29 years old, making him a valuable trade piece compared to the older players on the market.

With the Vegas Golden Knights 2-6-1 in their last nine, there's an incentive to get a player of this caliber. That's especially true with Jack Eichel's imminent return, bolstering the team at the forward position. But what would a Jake Guentzel trade look like? Where will Bruce Cassidy slot the Omaha native?

1. Jake Guentzel's Scouting Report

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers / Mitchell Leff/GettyImages

The big thing that comes to mind regarding Jake Guentzel is his hockey IQ. He's able to pick apart opposing defenses with ease, finding holes to either score or set up solid scoring opportunities. That's what makes him an incredible trade candidate and what the Vegas Golden Knights desperately need.

Guentzel is also one of the quicker forwards in the NHL. His evasiveness makes him an offensive threat, being able to skate past opposing defenders with ease. In a sense, he's like Frank Vatrano, only faster and plays bigger than his actual size.

Speaking of size, that's the biggest issue with the 29-year-old. He's only 5'11" and weighs 180 lbs., making him a target among defenders. That's part of why he's dealt with injuries in the past, with his upper-body injury on Valentine's Day being the most recent notch. Still, Jake Guentzel's ceiling is a top-line star, where he can complement Jack Eichel easily.

2. Who Else Wants Jake Guentzel?

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Islanders / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

Jake Guentzel is drawing a ton of eyeballs in the trade market. Aside from the Vegas Golden Knights, the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Edmonton Oilers have also expressed interest.

While Guentzel might be the hottest commodity on the trade market, the price will be substantial. There will likely be a first-round pick and top prospects involved, given Guentzel's age and talent. However, some teams might not be willing to take on the injury issues, making the market a bit more complicated.

3. The Trade Proposal for Jake Guentzel

Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators
Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas stated he wants prospects rather than picks, which will complicate matters for the Vegas Golden Knights. This is especially true with the Golden Knights not having the best prospect pool in the NHL.

However, that doesn't mean the Golden Knights are out on Jake Guentzel. There will be more cleaning of the prospect pool, with a first-round pick thrown in. But the Golden Knights must watch out for the Omaha native's injury history, for it might hurt them during the playoffs.

Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins

The Golden Knights are in desperate need of bodies at the forward position. With troubled times hitting the franchise, they might pull the trigger on getting Guentzel on board. But does Vegas have enough to get a deal done?

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