The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded forward Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a significant return, likely including multiple draft picks and forward Michael Bunting. Elliotte Friedman and other insiders reported that Bunting was pulled from the Hurricanes lineup due to trade-related reasons, indicating that he will be part of the deal for Guentzel.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic provided further insight, indicating that the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins were on the verge of completing a trade involving Jake Guentzel. However, there were still some details to be finalized, and the fact that both teams were playing that night added a layer of complexity to the timing. Nevertheless, all indications suggested that Guentzel would indeed be heading to Carolina.
LeBrun clarified, “Again, just to be clear, the Guentzel trade is not quite done yet. Both teams playing tonight, some final details to be ironed out, sounds like a post-game trade call with the league. But all signs pointing to Guentzel heading to Carolina.” Despite the pending nature of the deal, it was evident that the trade was imminent.
Jake Guentzel, aged 29, has been a standout performer for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, tallying 52 points in 50 games with 22 goals and 32 assists. However, he has been sidelined for several weeks due to an injury, making his availability at the trade deadline a subject of speculation.
For the Penguins, trading Guentzel signifies a shift towards rebuilding and transitioning their roster by parting ways with older assets in exchange for younger ones. With other veteran players like Jeff Carter, Lars Eller, Reilly Smith, and Sidney Crosby also facing expiring contracts, the Penguins face the challenge of balancing roster changes while keeping key players satisfied. Although there are rumors surrounding Crosby’s future, it’s uncertain whether they will materialize.
As for the Carolina Hurricanes, acquiring Guentzel reflects their willingness to make significant moves at the deadline to strengthen their roster. Despite their previous reluctance to invest heavily in rental players and pending free agents, Guentzel’s potential impact as a top-tier winger was deemed too valuable to pass up. With exceptional scoring abilities and a demonstrated ability to excel alongside star players like Sidney Crosby, Guentzel is seen as a potential game-changer for the Hurricanes. Despite interest from other teams like the Canucks, Golden Knights, Panthers, and Rangers, the Hurricanes emerged as the frontrunners in securing Guentzel’s services.
