Trade Proposal Emerges That Makes The Jets Cups Contenders

As it stands, the Winnipeg Jets are primed for a playoff run. However, they could make a deep playoff run with the addition of some top talent.

A trade proposal has emerged that would send Jake Guentzel to Manitoba in exchange for some top assets.

Winnipeg gets the clear best piece of this deal in Jake Guentzel. The 29-year-old American is in the final year of his deal and could be a core piece in any playoff run. Through 32 games this year, Guentzel has scored 14 goals and 35 points, a 36-goal/90-point pace.

These players do not come around often and if he can find chemistry on a top line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, the line could be the most dominant in all of hockey.

He comes at a high price but with players of this caliber, teams are happy to cave in and give up some premium assets.

Assuming the Penguins are unable to resign Guentzel, a trade could kickstart a rebuild or retool. They would start off with a young bottom-six forward in Morgan Barron who can help the Penguins out for years to come.

However, the core pieces of this return are Brad Lambert and the 2024 first-round pick. The pick carries a lot of value and could be used however Penguins GM Kyle Dubas pleases.

Lambert would be tough to part with for the Jets but they have a plethora of forward prospects. Lambert currently leads the Manitoba Moose in point production. He currently has 21 points through 23 games which is quite impressive for a 20-year-old in the AHL (he turned 20 just five days ago).

The speedy forward could be a longterm piece for the Jets but if they would like to take a true run at the Stanley Cup, parting with Lambert may be a necessity.