Guentzel, Tarasenko and the question of fit on deadline week
Welcome to trade deadline week! While much of this year’s focus has been spent on possible defensive upgrades for playoff contenders, I want to shift gears and assess the wing position.
Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel has been considered the crown jewel of the deadline at wing for a while now – in fact, TSN’s Trade Bait board has him fourth across all available players, and he’s eligible to return from long-term injured reserve on March 10.
But I’m starting to wonder if this is a two-horse race, and more specifically, if Ottawa’s Vladimir Tarasenko could be a comparable (or perhaps, better) option for some contenders.
There are several teams looking to upgrade at the wing position, and Tarasenko and Guentzel appear to be the two best options. Guentzel is younger and has been scorching in Pittsburgh over the past few seasons, but Tarasenko’s pedigree, shooting capability, and relatively smaller cap hit might be alluring to other teams.
Answering the question of preference may come down to fit and the types of centers these wingers would........
© TSN
visit website