Former Penguins Star Likely Testing Free Agency
A former Pittsburgh Penguins star forward will be one of the top free agents available.
PITTSBURGH – After being traded away from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the deadline, Jake Guentzel may join his third NHL team this summer. Despite leaving the door open for a return to the Carolina Hurricanes, it looks like Guentzel may test the open market as a free agent.
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, talks between Guentzel and the Hurricanes continue, but the most likely outcome is him heading to free agency.
“All things being equal, it very much sounds as though the most likely outcome at this stage is Guentzel going to the July 1 market.”
LeBrun noted that even if Guentzel hits the market, the Hurricanes would still be an option. The Hurricanes have the advantage of an eighth year on the contract if 39-year-old Guentzel is looking for a contract that long.
Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, is also open to keeping his client in Carolina, but a number of other teams around the league could offer bigger paydays.
“The sense right now is that Hankinson most likely wants to hear from other teams as well on July 1. Again,” LeBrung reports. “Without ruling out Carolina.”
Early projections for Guentzel’s new deal give him six years at $8 million annually. Considering his extensive resume of offense and playoff work, that feels like a conservative price.
The Penguins may be willing to be in those talks, but a reunion seems unlikely.
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