Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel, nearly universally viewed as the second-best pending unrestricted free agent available, will likely still be on the market when July 1 hits, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.
The possibility of returning to Carolina after the market opens hasn’t been ruled out, but he’s expected to look at other offers and potential fits around the league. His camp has had extensive extension talks with the Hurricanes since their season ended in the second round last month, but their richest offer evidently isn’t enough to keep him from at least window-shopping elsewhere.
Despite missing around a month due to injury, the 29-year-old is arguably coming off the best season of his career. After yet again putting up over a point per game on Sidney Crosby’s wing with the Penguins, Guentzel exploded after the move to Carolina, recording eight goals and 25 points in his final 17 regular-season games. He remained excellent in postseason play, tying for third on the team in scoring with nine points (four goals, five assists) in 11 games while logging the third-most ice time among forwards behind Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.
Guentzel also positively influenced the Hurricanes’ already strong possession game. With him on the ice at even strength, the Hurricanes controlled 60.2% of shot attempts, 1.5% higher than their shot attempt share without him. The 2013 third-round pick also had a positive relative possession impact in all eight of his seasons in Pittsburgh.
He also hit the 30-goal mark for the third straight season and the fourth time in his career overall. While his market value won’t eclipse Panthers pending UFA winger Sam Reinhart, who’s coming off a career-best 57 goals, he’s undoubtedly a safer signing with a long track record of point-per-game play under his belt. His short stint thus far in Carolina certainly boosts his value, proving he can still produce elite numbers away from one of the game’s all-time greats.
Former Hurricanes GM Don Waddell managed to acquire Guentzel from the Penguins without parting with a first-round pick, but he did surrender solid complementary winger Michael Bunting and a trio of prospects with NHL ceilings. His value on the open market could very well eclipse the $9.5MM mark on a max-term deal, though.
That’s money the Hurricanes’ interim management group of AGMs Eric Tulsky, Darren Yorke, and owner Tom Dundon may not be willing to commit with Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei and Teuvo Teräväinen also headed for free agency this summer, among many others. However, as Pagnotta reports, there were no mid-season extension discussions with Teräväinen, and his camp is expected to make a call next week on pursuing a last-minute agreement in Carolina or joining Guentzel in heading to market.
Guentzel is completing a five-year, $30MM extension he signed with Pittsburgh in 2018. The Nebraska native and Nebraska-Omaha collegiate product led all players in playoff scoring with 13 goals in 25 games as a rookie in 2017, helping the Pens win their second of back-to-back championships.
Come back to Pittsburgh.
Honestly, nah. Not for that kind of money. DOC played pretty well in his spot and Bunting fit well with Malkin.
We have bigger holes to fill.
Utah or Seattle as random guesses for Jake.
Or Chicago or San Jose, someone with money to burn
If he prioritizes money, he won’t come to Pittsburgh. But if he prioritizes winning… he still won’t come to Pittsburgh.
The Hawks both need and can afford a guy like Guentzel. But I doubt that he ends up here. The Hawks shouldn’t be signing long term big money contracts right now anyway. As much as Hawks fans would like to see it happen.
Canes future may hinge on this decision. His impact on Aho was huge imo. Aho plays a similar game to Crosby (I SAID SIMILAR NOT THAT HE IS CROSBY, DONT JUMP ME) in that he is an effective, balanced two-way scorer with a high hockey IQ. They are a very good fit together.
Agreed. He meshed beautifully with Aho and also put to rest questions as to whether he was just a product of Crosby or a legit star in his own right.
Honestly, I had SOME question, but thought he was really good. He’s actually better than I thought.
Still, I don’t regret trading him, just wish we’d gotten a first for him.
Definitely. I had my doubts and he shut me up pretty quickly.
I see him on the west coast LA or Seattle I would bet on.
The fact the Carolina Hurricanes can’t come to an agreement with Jake Guentzel before free agency, pretty much says Guentzel‘s likelihood of returning to Carolina becomes pretty slim. It’s kind of dumb of Carolina to trade so much & not retain him in the end.
I will say teams with a ton of cap space like the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken & potentially teams like the Anaheim Ducks (who need more veteran experience), Columbus Blue Jackets (new GM Waddle is the guy who brought him to Carolina why not Columbus), & Utah.
The Blackhawks may have a interest in Jake Guentzel as a free agent. Depends on the length of the contract he is seeking. I could see him fitting in on Bedard’s line as he once did with Crosby. The Hawks are in need of a true centers so let’s see how it plays out!