The Carolina Hurricanes are on the verge of finalizing a trade for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel on Thursday night, according to a source confirmed by ESPN.
Details of the trade were still being hammered out, with a trade call expected with the NHL following the Hurricanes’ game against the Montreal Canadiens and the Penguins’ game against the Washington Capitals, as per sources.
Guentzel, 29, is widely regarded as the top forward available ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline. With 52 points in 50 games this season, including 22 goals, he has been an offensive force. Over his eight seasons with the Penguins, Guentzel has accumulated 466 points in 503 career games.
He has been a key linemate to captain Sidney Crosby for much of his tenure. Guentzel will become an unrestricted free agent after the season and carries a $6 million salary cap hit.
Given his age and expected contract demands, the Penguins opted to explore trading Guentzel as part of their strategy for a potential rebuild. General manager Kyle Dubas recently emphasized the need for the team to inject youth into its lineup.
Carolina forward Michael Bunting was notably absent from Thursday’s game due to “trade-related reasons,” as confirmed by the team. It is anticipated that he will be included in the package going back to Pittsburgh, reuniting him with Dubas, who signed him as a free agent during their time together with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Hurricanes had been actively seeking a scoring winger leading up to the deadline, particularly one with a history of postseason success.
Guentzel fits the bill perfectly, having won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2017 and establishing himself as a clutch playoff performer, boasting 58 points in 58 career playoff games, including 34 goals.
