Trade Deadline Worry: Injured Jake Guentzel Out Up to 4 Weeks

In a recent announcement from the Pittsburgh Penguins, forward Jake Guentzel has been placed on injured reserve, prompting the team to recall Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Valtteri Puustinen from their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Unfortunately, the move follows reports from insiders like Chris Johnston of TSN who state that Guentzel is expected to miss approximately a month due to injury. The news casts doubt on his availability before the March 8 trade deadline.

The Penguins have recalled forwards Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Valtteri Puustinen from the @WBSPenguins.

Forward Jake Guentzel has been placed on Injured Reserve. Guentzel is expected to miss up to four weeks with a projected return to the Penguins in early March.

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 15, 2024

While Guentzel’s injury may raise questions about his trade deadline candidacy, his strong playoff track record since entering the league might still make him an attractive target for potential suitors. The question becomes the ask for the player and with Guentzel out, it makes it tougher for the Penguins to make the playoffs. They’re now more likely to become sellers if the team struggles without its leading scorer.

Will a Trade Deadline Buyer Still Want Jake Guentzel If Injured?

The timeline of Guentzel’s expected return may align with the trade deadline, but the acquiring team might have concerns. That said, if his return goes according to early projections, his new team would only miss his services for about a week. Consequently, Guentzel’s price tag may not see a significant drop by the trade deadline, as the potential impact on his availability is relatively short-term.

In terms of the players recalled in response to Guentzel’s injury, Gruden and Hinostroza have spent considerable time in the AHL over the past month. Puustinen, however, has shown success in Pittsburgh this season, contributing one goal and eight points in 21 games while serving in a depth role. To say the least, this injury news adds a layer of complexity to the Penguins’ trade deadline strategy.

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