GM Steve Yzerman puts halt to monster pending trade in Detroit

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly hoping to move top forward Jake Guentzel some time today, looking to get as much as a first-round pick, young NHL player, and prospects back in the deal. Many contenders have been linked to Guentzel in the past weeks, most notably the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights, and at some point, the Detroit Red Wings took part in the sweepstakes as well.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Red Wings will look to make moves ahead of Friday’s deadline in order to secure a playoff berth and take part in the postseason for the first time since 2016. However, the insider isn’t sure general manager Steve Yzerman is on board to go after Guentzel as he does not believe the GM wants to signs the 30-year-old winger to term.

“It fits [in Detroit], but it’s not like Yzerman to give players like that seven-year extensions.”

Guentzel, a pending unrestricted free agent carries a cap hit of $6 million on his expiring deal. He has become the most coveted forward on the trade market with the days to go, but Friedman can’t see Yzerman spending way too much on a rental if he hesitates to offer a long-term contract in the deal.

On top of that, Yzerman is already looking to to lock in Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond to the extensions they are due this summer when they become restricted free agents, which means the GM could pass up and step out of the Guentzel sweepstakes.

Despite this update, the Red Wings may be in for a busy deadline, however, they may not be the ones offering Guentzel a new uniform ahead of Friday’s deadline.

Recommended articles:

• Maple Leafs to bring back an old friend?
• Report: Red Wings interested in Penguins forward
• Derek Lalonde confirms Dylan Larkin has been injured.
• Jake Walman sends Matthew Tkachuk sailing through the air.
• Steve Yzerman reveals when he first knew Patrick Kane was special