The Hurricanes have won the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes, per multiple reports Thursday.
All eyes were on Pittsburgh, as the talented Penguins winger was the most sought-after forward ahead of Friday’s deadline. Finally, Pittsburgh found a trade partner in Carolina, as the Hurricanes are close to acquiring the two-time All-Star.
Guentzel has not played since Feb. 14 as he continues to recover from an upper-body injury. He was placed on long-term injured reserve as a result but is eligible to return on March 10.
When he has been on the ice this season, he’s been a point-per-game player. The 29-year-old American is up to 22 goals and 52 points in 50 games this season despite owning a career-low 11.9% shooting percentage. A free agent this summer, Guentzel was viewed as the top rental available this spring, and he will head to a Hurricanes team looking to make another deep postseason run after an Eastern Conference finals appearance in 2023.
Here’s everything you need to know about the trade bringing Guentzel to the Hurricanes.
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Jake Guentzel trade details
Here are the details of the trade sending Guentzel to the Hurricanes. The deal is not yet finalized and the full package is not yet known, but 28-year-old winger Michael Bunting is expected to go back to the Penguins.
Hurricanes receive
Penguins receive
It feels like Carolina has been one key piece away from contending for a Stanley Cup over the last few seasons. The team plays an extremely strong 200-foot game under Rod Brind’Amour, but the Hurricanes don’t have that star power. Yes, they have one of the best two-way centers in Sebastian Aho and arguably the best defensive defenseman in Jaccob Slavin, but the Canes have consistently come up short in their recent playoff runs.
While Guentzel isn’t at a superstar level, he is a seamless fit with the Hurricanes and the exact kind of complimentary piece that could put them over the edge. Guentzel gives Aho an upgrade on the wing over Teuvo Teravainen, and if Brind’Amour also puts Andrei Svechnikov on that top line, that’s a dangerous trio to contain.
Yes, Guentzel spent a majority of his Penguins career playing alongside one of the greats in Sidney Crosby. However, he’s still an elite player who has a knack for getting open in the offensive zone. He is a strong finisher who may not provide much defensively, but pairing with a responsible, playmaking center like Aho should create magic in Raleigh.
Guentzel also has a strong history as an elite playoff performer. He was an integral part of the Penguins’ Stanley Cup win in 2017, recording 13 goals in 25 games en route to a ring. In total, he has 34 goals in 58 postseason performances. It doesn’t matter who you are playing with — that kind of production in the playoffs jumps off the charts.
Jake Guentzel contract
Mantha is in the final year of the five-year, $30 million contract he signed with the Penguins in 2019. His deal carries a cap hit of $6 million for this season.
He is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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| Season | AAV |
| 2023-24 | $6,000,000 |
| 2024-25 | UFA |
