Full return on Jake Guentzel trade has fans calling for Kyle Dubas to be fired

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Liam McCormick
March 7, 2024 (9:49 PM)

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Heading into this trade deadline, Pittsburgh Penguins star Jake Guentzel was the biggest name available as the team prepares to sell off its old core and enter a rebuild. Today the Penguins finally traded Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes, and the return is so underwhelming that fans are calling for GM Kyle Dubas to be fired already.

The full trade will see the Penguins send Guentzel and 23 year old former first round pick Ty Smith to the Hurricanes for Michael Bunting, three low ranked prospects, and two conditional draft picks. One pick could become a first this year if the Hurricanes reach the Cup finals, otherwise it's only a second. The other pick is just a fifth rounder. For a consistent 30 goal threat and one of the top offensive players available at a deadline in recent memory, this return for Guentzel and Smith is pretty low. Clearly, Dubas thinks very highly of Bunting.

Fans are already calling for Dubas to be fired for this little of a return in his first big selling trade on the Penguins. Dubas has had a reputation for being poor at selling players in trade, like Nazem Kadri, and now taking on a GM job for a rebuilding team may not play to his strengths.

With this being the first move in what could be the official end of the Penguins recent dynasty, it's concerning for fans to see the initial direction of their rebuild. But hey, who knows, maybe Bunting will save the Penguins next season.