Jake Guentzel Willing to Wait On New Deal With Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Jake Guentzel might not pick up contract talks until the upcoming offseason.
PITTSBURGH - One of the biggest assets currently riding in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup is their leading scorer Jake Guentzel who is in the final year of his contract and could be heading to a large pay day.
Through 37 games played, Guentzel has scored 18 goals and 25 assists to lead the Penguins with 43 total points and has taken more shots on goal than anyone on the roster.
Without a new contract set and no negotiations kicked off, Guentzel’s name is expected to become a popular one around the NHL’s trade deadline.
The Penguins, however, are likely keeping him through the deadline in hopes there is a push for the playoffs in their future, but that opens more questions surrounding Guentzel and the possibility of a new contract.
According to David Pagnotta, Guentzel wants more of an understanding of what the future holds in Pittsburgh.
“My understanding is that Guentzel is comfortable waiting this out,” Pagnotta said on NHL Network. “He wants to understand and have a clearer picture as to what the future, both short- and long-term, of the Pittsburgh Penguins is going to be if he does sign a long-term extension with the club.”
The Penguins are in a weird space, right now, as a team that is clearly going for one last push with their core veterans, but also could fall into obscurity in no time.
Guentzel is almost 30-years-old and among the best goal scorers in the NHL, but might not fit in the Penguins’ plans if they start their rapid decline.
Pagnotta noted that it wouldn’t be surprising if negotiations between Guentzel and the Penguins get pushed to the offseason.
At the moment, the Penguins have no plans of moving Guentzel before the deadline; he’s an important piece that can help the team not only make the playoffs but make a real run at the Stanley Cup.
Things may get pushed into the offseason, but that might pose a bigger threat to possibly losing him for nothing as the future of the Penguins is still very much up in the air.
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