Oilers top trade target reportedly in ugly situation, making trade more likely

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Liam McCormick
January 7, 2024 (10:18)

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Throughout this week, the Edmonton Oilers started to become connected to a top trade deadline target throughout the league. According to several insiders including Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun, the Oilers are very interested in acquiring Penguins forward Jake Guentzel.

Now, news is breaking fast and furiously regarding Guentzel's expiring contract and future in Pittsburgh. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, contract extensions between Guentzel and the Penguins could devolve into an ugly situation.

With the Penguins getting older and clearly sliding out of a competitive window, the 29-year old Guentzel may not want to sign in Pittsburgh if he wants a chance to win. At the same time, the Penguins need to retain him if they have any belief in trying to make the playoffs this year or next year. However, putting the contract talks to the offseason could be risky, and the Penguins could lose an opportunity to get assets back for Guentzel. In conversation with Pagnotta, Guentzel's agent said the following:

Could it get ugly? Yes, it could It's no secret the team is getting older. There are some Hall of Fame players on that team. What's going to happen, I don't know.

In another sit-down story with a Penguins Athletic reporter, Guentzel was clearly non-committal to returning to Pittsburgh.

If the Edmonton Oilers are going to look to double down on their already lethal offence, Jake Guentzel would be an unreal fit to the team, and give Draisaitl a great talent to work off of in the second line. Hopefully they can pull off a trade as contract talks fizzle out with Pittsburgh, but if they can't, the Oilers will likely turn their trade priorities to a goaltender at the deadline.