Canucks decline.

If you're trying to contend - why would you trade Jake?

Apologies, meant to use the word compete, not contend. I see the penguins being 1 and done in the playoffs or missing the playoffs for the next handful of years. I think the time is over. Crosby, Malkin, and Letang aren’t going anywhere though. They will retire as Penguins. Management will want to keep a decent team on the ice until that happens. I say trade Jake because his value won’t be higher and if he’s smart he’ll walk in the summer if we don’t trade him. Picking up the draft picks and Raty is a great way to look out for the future after the big 3 era and Kuzmenko is a replacement for the time being. He’s been underperforming this year so throwing him on a line with Sid should give him a spark. All in all, I think our goal should be keeping a wildcard team on the ice until the big 3 retire while also looking out for the future. Once the big 3 retire, blow it all up and go full rebuild mode, but it’s time to start collecting assets where we can.

Not going to lie, stole the trade from a Nucks ACGM. What would you do differently?

No - you're good. It actually looks like you did say competing. My brain just looks at contending and competing as basically synonyms. So maybe that's my fault haha.

I guess I just don't like the idea of purposefully aiming for the middle ground. If the Pens have a chance at the playoffs this year, I think you have to go for it and keep Guentzel. If you think the time of winning with the core is over, trade anyone and everyone you can.

Remove Kuzmenko and trade Myers, Hoglander, Raty, and Vancouver’s 2nd round 2025 pick in exchange for Jake Guentzel.

Haha all good. I’m one of the few Penguins fans that thinks our cup chances are over, but on the other hand, I know management won’t blow it up as long as 87/71/58 are still
playing. I prefer looking out for the future (which we don’t have a good track record with lol) while keeping a half decent team on the ice so our turnaround is quicker when the rebuild happens. I know my opinion is in the minority but I realistically don’t see us winning anything soon without depleting major futures and I see no benefit in doing that. I say try to gain future assets (draft picks/prospects) for the guys that we can trade (as much as I love Jake, I can see him walking) and then replacing them with decent players/players that need a change of scenery.

That’ll be a no from us. I like Raty but Jake is a top 5-10 LW in the NHL and his value has never been higher. If the Canucks are going for a cup run they’ll need to pay for Jake, maybe more than fans are willing. He’s 20th in points so far and 8th in 5v5 points. The Penguins powerplay has been atrocious this year but i’d expect those stats to go up on a stacked Canucks team. If you guys are going for the cup, an underperforming Kuzmenko, promising prospect Raty, a late first, and a second is a fair price.

Pens should trade Nedeljkovic and not extend him. Blomqvist is ready to be a 2nd next season. Murashov (next Vasilevsky) will come in 2 years and will be ready to replace Jarry at the of his contract.

Valid take