Red Wings reportedly emerge as contenders to poach the Penguins

With the National Hockey League Trade Deadline quickly approaching, fans of each respective team are waiting with baited breath to see what their club will do in terms of adding pieces to fuel a playoff run or selling off assets with a focus on the future. 

For the Detroit Red Wings, they appear in prime position to be buyers at the Deadline for the first time in years. Their thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Little Caesars Arena last night enabled them to leapfrog the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 1st Wild Card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and also gave them a six point cushion between them and the next team chasing them in the standings. 

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins appear to be heading down a path that Red Wings fans remember all too well of trying to hold on to the glory days for too long and refusing to commit to a full-scale rebuild. But while the famed trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang apparently won't be going anywhere, new Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is reportedly willing to listen to offers for just about everyone else on the roster. 

Forward Jake Guentzel, who reportedly turned down an extension offer, is one of the biggest names being dangled on the trade market ahead of the Deadline. Could Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings come calling? According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman on his latest "32 Thoughts" podcast, it's not out of the realm of possibility. 

Guentzel, who is currently on the shelf with an injury, has scored 22 goals with 30 assists in 50 games played this season. For his career, the American-born forward has scored a total of 219 goals and 247 assists, and also helped the Penguins to the 2017 Stanley Cup in his rookie season.  

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