So, anybody else stay up super-late?
Or check the phone every time rolling over through the wee hours?
Yeah, it's a pretty big deal, this pending, possible Jake Guentzel trade that'd been anticipated for late last night by multiple reports, including my own. I wouldn't blame anyone who follows our city's beloved NHL franchise for sweating out every single second. Because, no hype here, whichever way it winds up could define the Penguins for years, certainly from the standpoint of punctuating an era.
Here's my latest, and I'll allow in advance that it ain't much:
• He's still here. No trade. And really, there's no trace of a trade from any reputable outlet on the hockey continent.
• Indications are strong that Kyle Dubas continues to seek quite a bit for Jake, maybe excessively so, per one source in Nashville. Meaning, as I'd reported a day ago, not just a first-round pick in the NHL Draft and maybe not a pick at all but, rather, a prospect who'd contribute sooner rather than later. Which is awesome, I'd say. Shouldn't be any other way.
• Seems close to impossible that a sign-and-trade could occur this close to the 3 p.m. Friday deadline, meaning, as I'd also reported a day ago, any trade involving Jake would be as a two-month rental. Or, as I described that scenario in the Wednesday column, that'd be idiotic from the Pittsburgh perspective, since they won't cull much at all. Just check the many lame returns from similar scenarios around the league yesterday.
• Some of those lame returns went to teams that'd been known to be interested in Jake but then went another way. Thus, there are fewer suitors as the deadline nears, maybe even Jim Rutherford's Canucks.
• There still haven't been, to my knowledge, any meaningful talks between Dubas and Jake's representatives toward a contract extension to stay with the Penguins.
What's all that mean?
Not a ton. Because one call can be all it takes to complete any of these outcomes.
I'd like to think I've made my stance clear on this subject for months now, but with the intensive interest in it now, I'll reiterate: If Dubas isn't overwhelmed by an offer -- and that's increasingly unlikely with each passing hour -- it'd behoove him to spend this final day and change working toward an extension. That's the reason, I've believed, that he'd instituted that arbitrary deadline to have a trade done by now, so that he'd have time for Plans B or C.
To be further clear: I'm absolutely, unequivocally opposed to letting Jake walk as a free agent with no return. That's never been part of my thought process, and that's because I never felt it needed to be. The Penguins can afford this player, this player would prefer -- with a passion -- to stay, and he'd provide a talented, committed bridge to the post-Sidney Crosby era here while also helping the team stay competitive. And any arguments to the contrary, especially about affordability, are easily blown to bits.
Shout this part, in particular, from the top of Mount Washington: Trading the likes of Tristan Jarry, Rickard Rakell, Reilly Smith, Lars Eller and/or others could free up a quarter of the payroll's cap space for the coming year and beyond. And they'd do so without giving away -- at low-ebb rental value -- the roster's second-most productive player at age 29.
Ship 'em out, blow it up, turn the page, print the posters for the dawn of a new era or whatever ... but don't be dumb about it.
• If/when anything actually happens regarding Jake, I'll write a fresh column right away. I still wanted to whip this one together because ... yeah.
• Thanks for reading.
• Roberto Clemente days till Miami.
• For the audiophiles:
