Pittsburgh Penguins' LW Jake Guentzel talks about receiving "full reps" at practice on Sunday as he continues to work his way back from ankle surgery. With the 2023-24 season about to kick off, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins is what the future might hold of one of the team’s best goal scorers. Jake Guentzel is entering the final year of his contract and the Penguins certainly want to keep him around, but how have negotiations gone to this point? According to Kyle Dubas, there haven’t really been any talks, yet; with Guentzel still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, the two parties have decided to wait on discussions. “The major priority right now has just been on Jake’s health,” Dubas said. “There’s been no real focus on anything other than the health portion of it.” It seems like everyone involved in a possible Guentzel extension wants to wait for the forward to return to the ice before any new contract is drawn up. Dubas noted he has a great relationship with Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, and that conversations can happen whenever, it’s just the focus has been on getting healthy. “With Ben and I’s relationship, we can have discussions about that as he wants,” Dubas said. “Right now, the priority has been on his health.” After the initial announcement of Guentzel’s surgery, it wasn’t certain he would be ready to return to the lineup until at least a few weeks into the season. As training camp reached it’s final days, Guentzel found himself not just skating with the team, but taking rushes with his usual linemates in Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust. Guentzel even filtered into some power play work and didn’t look too far out of place. Head coach Mike Sullivan labeled Guentzel as a game-time decision for the opener, which could mean conversations for a new contract could be right around the corner. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm3e4xrlmLA[/embed] Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Five Penguins Clear Waivers Ahead of Roster Deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/breaking-news/five-pittsburgh-penguins-clear-waivers-roster-deadline] Penguins Claim Defenseman Off of Waivers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/breaking-news/pittsburgh-penguins-claim-john-ludvig-waivers] Important Piece Potentially Returning for Penguins Opener [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/important-jake-guentzel-returning-pittsburgh-penguins-opener] Penguins Cup Winning Goalie Expected To Miss All Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/breaking-news/pittsburgh-penguins-toronto-maple-leafs-matt-murray-miss-season] Burning Questions Heading Into Penguins Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/burning-questions-pittsburgh-penguins-season] * undefined * undefined
