Starting with the obvious, it’s unfortunate that the Pittsburgh Penguins had to part ways with Jake Guentzel.
His departure carries several downsides. It means losing a core player who played a pivotal role in winning a Stanley Cup and emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s standout homegrown talents in recent memory. Guentzel’s departure also means bidding farewell to a fan favorite who shared a special connection with the city and its supporters. Not seeing the “Jake Shake” graphic light up the scoreboard creates an odd sensation.
Moreover, his trade signaled that the front office has essentially thrown in the towel on this season, setting the stage for a potential second consecutive non-playoff finish.
Frankly, I have little to no expectations for any of the prospects or draft picks received in return, as history shows that such trade deadline deals often yield minimal returns.
However, I must admit that Michael Bunting has started to impress me, despite my initial skepticism when the trade was announced.
What stands out to me the most is the dimension he adds to the forward group, which has been sorely lacking in recent years. Bunting is a disruptive force, stirring up chaos in front of the net, and he’s already scored a couple of gritty goals that have been missing from the team’s repertoire. This element has been absent ever since the departures of Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist, and its absence has significantly diminished the Penguins’ offensive prowess.
The dearth of this type of forward has, in my opinion, played a significant role in the persistent disparity between the Penguins’ expected goal metrics and their actual goal output, both on the power play and during 5-on-5 play. While they often generate scoring opportunities and find themselves in favorable positions, they lack players who can consistently screen goalies and capitalize on rebounds. Kunitz and Hornqvist excelled in both aspects while enduring the physical punishment from opposing defenders.
These two players were instrumental in reshaping the roster and guiding it to a Stanley Cup victory.