As the Penguins move forward without Jake Guentzel, “nobody’s happy about it right now.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced a challenging day as the NHL trade deadline passed, with significant changes to their roster. Jake Guentzel, defensemen Chad Ruhwedel and Ty Smith, and reserve goaltender Magnus Hellberg were all traded away, signaling a shift in the team’s direction. In return, the Penguins received a mix of prospects and draft picks.
The team’s disappointing performance this season, currently sitting in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, prompted these moves. Penguins’ president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas emphasized the need for improvement, acknowledging that the team has not met its goals.
One positive outcome was the acquisition of Michael Bunting from the Carolina Hurricanes, adding depth to the Penguins’ forward lines. Bunting expressed excitement about joining a franchise with a winning history and is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success.
The Penguins will now focus on the future, with Dubas highlighting the team’s salary-cap flexibility to make further improvements in the offseason.
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced a tough loss against the Washington Capitals, which prompted Evgeni Malkin to apologize to fans for the disappointing performance. Malkin, who has been with the Penguins for 18 seasons, expressed regret for the lackluster game and pledged to play harder in the future.
Following the loss, the Penguins made significant roster changes, trading away Jake Guentzel and Chad Ruhwedel. Both players were key members of the team’s 2017 Stanley Cup win and were popular among teammates. Penguins’ president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas acknowledged that the trades were difficult but emphasized the importance of players being upset about such moves, showing their commitment to the team.
The decision to trade Guentzel was partly due to the inability to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Despite Guentzel expressing a desire to stay with the Penguins, negotiations did not progress, leading to his trade to the New York Rangers. Dubas took responsibility for the situation, stating that if there was any blame, he would accept it, but he believed they needed to see how the season progressed before finalizing a deal.
The Penguins’ decision to trade popular players like Guentzel was difficult but necessary, according to Dubas. He acknowledged that such decisions are often unpopular but are part of the job in his position.
In return for Guentzel and Ruhwedel, the Penguins received prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, and Cruz Lucius from the Hurricanes. Dubas praised Koivunen for his performance in the Liiga, noting his competitiveness and skill level. Ponomarev is expected to join the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton team and could compete for an NHL spot next season. Lucius, currently playing for the University of Wisconsin, is expected to stay in college for another season.
The trade also involved draft picks, including a conditional 2024 first-round pick from the Hurricanes, which will be received if Carolina reaches the Stanley Cup Final. Otherwise, the Penguins will receive the Flyers’ second-round pick in the 2024 draft, previously acquired by the Hurricanes.
Dubas explained that the Penguins were comfortable with the minimal difference between the Hurricanes’ first-round pick (no better than No. 31 overall if they reach the final) and the Flyers’ second-rounder (projected to be in the mid-50s among overall selections). They also have the potential to receive a fifth-round pick in 2024 if the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup this season.
Before the deadline, Hellberg was traded to the Florida Panthers for Ludovic Waeber and a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2025.
Currently, the Penguins have $850,000 of salary cap space and 47 players under contract, three short of the league limit of 50.
The Penguins will have a different look when they face the Boston Bruins on Saturday, as Dubas emphasized the need to make decisions that are best for the team, regardless of perception.
