If Jake Guentzel hits the free agent market, the Pittsburgh Penguins might be waiting to make an offer.

PITTSBURGH – As the 2024 NHL trade deadline approached, the Pittsburgh Penguins were among the most watched teams. The Penguins weren’t in any mode to buy, but they had multiple pieces likely to be sold off.

The Penguins ended up only moving two players from their NHL roster, but one of them was a marquee name and arguably the most significant move of the deadline. Jake Guentzel was moved from the Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Michael Bunting and a handful of prospects.

Guentzel is in the final year of his contract, and his future with the Hurricanes isn’t guaranteed. Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell says they are confident they can get a deal done, but nothing is certain until pen is put to paper.

“I’m optimistic about it,” Waddell said. “Our success here will dictate a little bit of that… Our goal would be to try and sign him.”

If the Hurricanes cannot get a deal done before free agency opens, Elliotte Friedman wrote in his 32 Thoughts blog that the Penguins would likely be in the conversation.

“If Guentzel hits the market, it would be a stunner if the Penguins didn’t try to bring him back.”

Guentzel’s trade and the days surrounding it were some of the lowest points of the Penguins’ season. They couldn’t win games, and their stars looked defeated.

The Penguins love what they’ve seen from Michael Bunting and are happy to have him in the fold, but they’d likely prefer the talent Guentzel brings.

Why not have both? Bunting is excited about a full year in Pittsburgh, and Guentzel could be open to a return if the price is right.

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