from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

...after making a bunch of calls Tuesday, here’s the latest I’m hearing ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. Eastern trade deadline:

Rental forwards

Jake Guentzel

Vegas certainly seemed like a logical destination for Guentzel, and no question the Golden Knights had talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they don’t appear to be in the mix as much anymore — and not just because they acquired Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. The Knights could still try to add another forward before Friday’s deadline.

Colleague Chris Johnston tweeted Tuesday that he’s heard the Vancouver Canucks are considering flipping Elias Lindholm to the Boston Bruins as a way to get to Guentzel both cap-wise and asset-wise. The Bruins were one of the teams that tried with the Calgary Flames on Lindholm before he got shipped to Vancouver on Jan. 31. And well, it hasn’t gone swimmingly for Lindholm in Vancouver.

But that doesn’t change the fact that the Canucks may still find Pittsburgh’s price too high. The Edmonton Oilers have kept tabs on Guentzel, too, as have other teams.

The package sought by the Penguins depends on the suitor but past trades involving Bo Horvat last year and Claude Giroux two years ago are comparables to look at. And even Lindholm this season.

A clutch playoff performer, the Penguins should get what they want or close to in this transaction, regardless of where Guentzel lands. The market is overloaded with forwards, and it feels like a buyers’ market. But in this particular case, you’re talking about the top of the rental food chain.

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