Insider Rob Rossi reveals Jake Guentzel's offseason plans
Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline and despite still being a UFA this summer, it appears his long-term team has been confirmed.
It is no secret that Jake Guentzel wanted to be a Penguin for life. The Nebraska native played over 500 NHL games in Pittsburgh and has won a Stanley Cup with the franchise. However, he was shipped out at the trade deadline to Carolina for a package of prospects and picks.
Full trade: Jake Guentzel (25% retained) and Ty Smith to the #hurricanes for Michael Bunting, prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev and Cruz Lucius, a conditional 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick.
A recent revelation has come to light revealing things with Pittsburgh crashed and burned and his likelihood of returning to the steel city is slim to none.
Guentzel did not leave the Penguins on the best of terms. He was particularly agitated by a perceived lack of forthright communication from Dubas, a source close to Guentzel said.
However, Guentzel would not deny Dubas an opportunity to pitch him on a potential return to Pittsburgh if Guentzel tests free agency in July.
Guentzel's fondness for the Penguins supersedes any ill feelings toward Dubas, said a team source and a source close to Guentzel.
Still, Guentzel reuniting with the Penguins was described by one source as "a long shot" because "he's loving it in Carolina, and (the Hurricanes) feel the same."
However, Guentzel would not deny Dubas an opportunity to pitch him on a potential return to Pittsburgh if Guentzel tests free agency in July.
Guentzel's fondness for the Penguins supersedes any ill feelings toward Dubas, said a team source and a source close to Guentzel.
Still, Guentzel reuniting with the Penguins was described by one source as "a long shot" because "he's loving it in Carolina, and (the Hurricanes) feel the same."
It also looks like Guentzel will want to stay with the Hurricanes which would be a major win for them considering how Guentzel has been one of their best if not their best player since the trade.
Through only 17 regular season games in Carolina, Guentzel had 8 goals, 17 assists, and 25 points which is a 39 goal, 82 assist, and 121 point pace. He has also been solid in their two playoff games thus far scoring a goal and an assist through two games versus the New York Islanders.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Jake Guentzel will sign an extension with Carolina? | ||
| Yes | 253 | 61.9 % |
| No | 156 | 38.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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