The Matchup: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in Florida. This matchup is crucial for both teams: Pittsburgh aims to solidify its playoff positioning, while Tampa looks to extend its lead in the Atlantic Division. However, the game carries an additional layer of intrigue as the Penguins face their former teammate, Jake Guentzel, for the fifth time since his departure. Guentzel, once a cornerstone of the Penguins’ forward corps, was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2024 trade deadline and subsequently landed with the Lightning. In his four games against Pittsburgh, Guentzel has recorded three assists but no goals, adding a personal subplot to the already high-stakes contest.
The Guentzel Trade: A Journey Through the Trade Tree
The Guentzel trade, which occurred on March 8, 2024, was a significant move for the Penguins. In exchange for Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith, the team acquired forwards Michael Bunting, Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, and Cruz Lucius, along with conditional first-round and fifth-round draft picks from the Carolina Hurricanes. The trade was initially viewed as a quantity over quality deal, given the promising prospects and picks the Penguins received. The first pick from the trade, however, had a condition that was not met, leading the Penguins to draft defenseman Harrison Brunicke 44th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The Lightning’s Big Win
Tampa Bay Lightning emerged as the clear winners in the Guentzel trade tree. They acquired the 28-year-old forward for just a third-round pick, primarily due to his unrestricted free agent status. Guentzel quickly signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Lightning, reinforcing their already formidable lineup. His presence as a perennial 30-40 goal-scorer has been a significant boost to Tampa’s offensive capabilities. No matter how the other aspects of the trade play out, the Lightning have undeniably come out on top thus far.
The Hurricanes’ Loss and Beyond
For the Carolina Hurricanes, the Guentzel trade was a significant blow. They traded away a proven scorer and a potential top-six winger, Ville Koivunen, for only a third-round pick. Additionally, the second-round pick they would have received from the Penguins was used to draft Harrison Brunicke, who has the potential to become a top-pairing defenseman. The Hurricanes further compounded their losses by drafting Roman Bausov 87th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with the third-round pick they received from the Lightning. In essence, Carolina lost a valuable player and future assets, making them the biggest losers in this trade scenario.
The Penguins’ Prospects and Future
The Penguins’ roster now includes several young talents who were part of the Guentzel trade. Ville Koivunen’s stock has risen since joining the organization, and he has shown promise as a top-six forward. Cruz Lucius is excelling at the NCAA level, and Michael Bunting has been a solid contributor. The Penguins also acquired Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn from the Nashville Predators, further bolstering their depth. While Brunicke, drafted with the conditional first-round pick, has the potential to become a top-pairing defenseman. Despite the loss of Guentzel, the Penguins have managed to acquire valuable assets that could shape their future.
Upcoming Match and Future Implications
As the Penguins prepare to face the Lightning, the lineup changes and the ongoing narrative surrounding the Guentzel trade will be in the spotlight. The “kid line” of Rutger McGroarty, Ben Kindel, and Ville Koivunen, which made a positive impact against the Philadelphia Flyers, could play a crucial role. For Penguins fans, the game will be a chance to see how the young prospects perform against one of the league’s top teams. The outcome of this match could provide insight into the long-term success of the Guentzel trade and the Penguins’ future prospects.
