Penguins and Jake Guentzel: Breaking Down the Situation

Penguins and Jake Guentzel: Breaking Down the Situation NHL Draft * The Penguins own the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. * They are reportedly interested in acquiring a versatile forward or defenseman with their selection. * Potential targets include center Adam Fantilli, winger Matthew Savoie, and defenseman Cam Allen. Jake Guentzel Contract * Guentzel is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) on July 1st. * The Penguins are eager to re-sign him to a long-term deal. * Guentzel is expected to command a salary in the neighborhood of $8-9 million per year. Free Agency * The Penguins have limited cap space available, but they are expected to pursue upgrades on both the offensive and defensive fronts. * Potential free agent targets include: * Wingers: Andrew Copp, David Perron, Tomas Hertl * Defenseman: Anton Stralman, Connor Murphy, Vladislav Gavrikov What I Hear * There is growing optimism that the Penguins will be able to sign Guentzel to a contract before he hits the open market. * The Penguins are exploring a potential trade for a top-four defenseman, with the New York Rangers’ Jacob Trouba being a potential target. * The Penguins are also monitoring the market for affordable depth players who can fill out their bottom-six forward group. Conclusion The Penguins are facing some key decisions in the coming weeks and months. The NHL Draft and free agency provide opportunities to improve their roster and contend for a Stanley Cup. However, they must navigate the salary cap and make prudent decisions to avoid compromising their long-term competitiveness.Penguins and Jake Guentzel, NHL Draft and Free Agency: What I Hear Rumors have emerged regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins’ plans for the upcoming NHL Draft and free agency. Here’s what I’ve heard: Jake Guentzel Contract Extension Jake Guentzel is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with the Penguins. The deal is expected to be for eight years and worth around $8 million per season. This would keep Guentzel in Pittsburgh through the 2029-30 season. NHL Draft The Penguins own the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. They are reportedly targeting a defenseman with that pick. Some potential targets include Cam Allen, David Jiricek, and Sean Behrens. Free Agency The Penguins have several pending unrestricted free agents, including: * Evan Rodrigues * Dominik Simon * Mike Matheson * Chad Ruhwedel Rodrigues is a priority for the Penguins, who view him as a valuable top-six forward. Simon and Matheson are potential re-signings, while Ruhwedel may not return. Other Targets The Penguins are also reportedly interested in signing a veteran defenseman in free agency. Some potential targets include Anton Stralman, Ryan Murray, and Jack Johnson. Salary Cap Concerns The Penguins are currently about $1 million over the salary cap. They will need to make some moves to create space for Guentzel’s new contract and any potential free agent signings. Outlook The Penguins are facing a busy offseason with several important decisions to make. The draft and free agency will provide them with opportunities to improve their team and contend for another Stanley Cup.