RUMOR: Jake Guentzel Done In Pittsburgh: The Final Straw For Sidney Crosby?

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Graham Montgomery
January 8, 2024 (7:57)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be an interesting team to watch for the remainder of the season. Not necessarily the on-ice product, but what moves team management will make in the coming months. The direction of the franchise is potentially at stake. The first big question mark facing the team? What to do with Jake Guentzel.

Guentzel Reportedly Not Interested In Negotiating Extension With Penguins

NHL insider David Pagnotta recently had a discussion with Guentzel's agent in which he made it clear that Guentzel will not be negotiating a contract extension with the Penguins at least until the season is over.

As I mentioned earlier today on @NHLNetwork, as of today it sounds like Jake Guentzel is likely going to wait until the end of the season before getting into any serious contract discussions with the #LetsGoPens. He's eligible to become a UFA this July.

This could be a bad sign for the Penguins as they have a major decision to make with him. If the team wants to remain hopeful for a playoff spot, they likely need him. But with where the team is in the standings that might not make sense. He is also the team's most valuable trade asset as he could be used to recoup some future value that the team has lost buying at the trade deadline in recent years.

Penguins Risk Losing Guentzel For Nothing

Of course, if the Penguins chose to hold onto Guentzel and then fail to make the playoffs, that would be a nightmare scenario for Kyle Dubas. At that point, the 29-year-old could easily walk in free agency where he could have his choice of playoff-caliber teams to sign with. With the direction the Penguins are trending, he may very well want to sign with a team where he thinks he can win. Even if that is not the case, there are teams other than the Penguins that could likely offer him more money. His agent seemed to hint at the fact that the Penguins are unlikely to be serious Cup contenders anytime soon.

"He's on the last year of a deal. The good news is I have a really good relationship with Kyle Dubas. Jake Guentzel is in a great spot. He started his career there. It's no secret the team is getting older. There are some Hall of Fame players on that team. What's going to happen, I don't know."

Regardless of what happens next, it is clear that Dubas and the Penguins are in a very tough situation. Clearly, things have not gone to plan as the offseason addition of Erik Karlsson has not moved the needle much and the team is still stuck in second gear.

As seen on Rumor: Jake Guentzel will not re-sign with Penguins this season.