Former Pittsburgh Penguins star Jake Guentzel, who is currently performing well with the Carolina Hurricanes, could potentially reunite with the Penguins in the future. Guentzel is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and is likely to explore offers from various teams.
Despite the interest Guentzel is expected to receive from across the league, there are indications, according to Josh Yohe of the Athletic, that the Penguins might be interested in bringing him back.
“Team sources have indicated that there’s a possibility of him returning to the Penguins this summer,” Yohe writes. “While I don’t consider it highly likely, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility.”
Although the Penguins had the opportunity to extend Guentzel during the season, they opted to trade him to the Hurricanes. However, circumstances may align for a potential reunion between Guentzel and the Penguins in the upcoming offseason.
With the expected increase of approximately $4.5 million in the salary cap for the next season, the Penguins are likely to make moves that create additional cap space.
If the Penguins can negotiate a favorable contract with Guentzel, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t consider bringing him back. The familiarity with the team is already established, and his talent and abilities are expected to remain at a high level for the foreseeable future.
In his five games with the Hurricanes, Guentzel has already contributed eight points, making him a crucial asset for their potential success in the playoffs. Depending on his performance for the rest of the season, Guentzel could command a salary north of $10 million annually in his next contract.
While such a salary might be a bit steep for the Penguins, a potential return for Guentzel is not completely ruled out. Although some key figures within the organization were disappointed to see Guentzel leave at the trade deadline, they would likely welcome his return for the 2024-25 season.
