Penguins’ Negotiations With Jake Guentzel Could Turn South

The future of Jake Guentzel and the Pittsburgh Penguins isn't set in stone as contract talks could get turbulent.

PITTSBURGH – Jake Guentzel is in the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins and without negotiations started on a new contract, that’s a name that could appear all over trade boards and speculation.

While the Penguins are looking to use Guentzel for a playoff run, Guentzel himself wants to know what the future holds for his team.

New president and general manager Kyle Dubas is in the position to not only build a playoff contender now, but also build a squad that can compete in the future.

Guentzel is in a weird limbo where he can certainly help the team now but will soon be 30-years-old meaning his prime won’t last too much longer.

According to Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, there is hope that all parties involved will be on the same page but doesn’t rule out the possibility of things going south.

“Could it get ugly?” Hankinson asked David Pagnotta on NHL Network Radio. “Yes, it could. Kyle has decisions to make, too, which way the team is going and the investments he’s going to make with Jake.”

Hankinson stated he has a good relationship with Dubas but is leaving things up to the success of the team.

If the Penguins are struggling to hold down a spot in the playoff race and are likely going to miss, it wouldn’t be surprising for Dubas to see what he can get for Guentzel.

At the same time, if the Penguins have solidified themselves as playoff contenders and Guentzel continues to lead the team in scoring, the price of a new contract will only go up.

“(Kyle) might look into what he can get for Jake or what it costs to sign him,” Hankinson said. “There's a lot that will happen in two months.”

The lead up to the trade deadline are going to be crucial for the Penguins not only in terms of their playoff hopes, but the future of Guentzel in Pittsburgh.

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