Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures
Jake Guentzel’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins seems to be over.
The crew is reportedly finalizing a commerce that may ship him to the Carolina Hurricanes for Michael Bunting and different property, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN reported:
ESPN @espn
Breaking: The Carolina Hurricanes are anticipated to finish a commerce for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel on Thursday night time, a supply instructed <a href=”https://twitter.com/wyshynski?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@wyshynski</a>.<br><br>Carolina ahead Michael Bunting is predicted to be a part of the package deal going again to Pittsburgh. <a href=”https://t.co/mIzoZgL97H”>pic.twitter.com/mIzoZgL97H</a>
There had been a number of experiences {that a} deal was shut.
Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
Listening to that the Hurricanes and Penguins are very near a Guentzel commerce. However nonetheless some particulars to work via. Bunting is a part of the package deal. Each groups are enjoying tonight which additionally might complicate timing to a point. However all indicators level to Guentzel going to Carolina. <a href=”https://t.co/RipdQAk4Js”>https://t.co/RipdQAk4Js</a>
Greg Wyshynski @wyshynski
Sense I get is that the Jake Guentzel commerce to <a href=”https://twitter.com/Canes?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@Canes</a> will occur, however we would not get finality on it till after Carolina and <a href=”https://twitter.com/penguins?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>@penguins</a> are achieved with their video games tonight.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported on Feb. 23 that Pittsburgh’s asking value for Guentzel was “a number of first-round picks (or a first-round decide and equal in prime prospects or roster gamers).”
Guentzel had been included in quite a few commerce rumors main as much as NHL’s March 8 commerce deadline with the Penguins struggling to contend for a playoff spot. They sit sixth within the Metropolitan Division with a 24-28-8 report.
Guentzel can also be on an expiring contract and can change into a free agent after the 2023-24 marketing campaign, making him expendable.
The 29-year-old had spent the primary seven-and-a-half seasons of his profession with the Penguins, which chosen him within the third spherical of the 2013 draft, and he helped the franchise seize a Stanley Cup in 2017.
Guentzel had been one of many crew’s most impactful gamers, notching 219 targets and 247 assists for 466 factors in 503 video games, and the Penguins will tremendously miss his manufacturing shifting ahead regardless of a lineup that features Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
The American has notched 22 targets and 30 assists for 52 factors in 50 video games this season. Nevertheless, he’s on injured reserve and it is unclear when he’ll go well with up for his new crew.
The Hurricanes have been linked to Guentzel since Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman listed the franchise as a possible suitor on Feb. 24.
Carolina has seemingly at all times been a step behind within the playoff race, however including Guentzel to the lineup might assist the franchise higher contend for a title and make a run to the Stanley Cup Last.
Guentzel joins a gifted lineup highlighted by Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Brent Burns and Martin Necas.
The Hurricanes sit second within the Metropolitan Division with a 36-19-6 report and are nonetheless in competition for the highest spot within the division alongside the New York Rangers.