Brewin Flames Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 Guentzel traded to Hurricanes by Penguins for Bunting, 2 draft picks Has 52 points in 50 games; Pittsburgh also receives forward prospects Ponomarev, Koivunen, Lucius © Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom March 07, 2024 Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday for forward Michael Bunting, forward prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, the rights to forward Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. Carolina also received defenseman Ty Smith in the trade. The first-round selection will become a second-round selection in the 2024 draft if Carolina does not advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh, which will retain 25 percent of Guentzel's salary, also won't receive the fifth-round pick unless the Hurricanes win the Cup. Guentzel has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 50 games this season but hasn't played since Feb. 14 because of an upper-body injury. However, the 29-year-old forward is skating and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve on Sunday. Guentzel is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed with Pittsburgh on Dec. 27, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. “The decision to trade Jake Guentzel, with his contract set to expire this offseason, was one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in my time in management," Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas said. "In my first season with the Penguins, it has become quite clear why Jake means so much to his teammates, all Penguins staff and the City of Pittsburgh. Jake’s competitiveness, tenacity and spirit, combined with his talent, have produced some of the greatest moments of this era of Penguins hockey. A born and bred Pittsburgh Penguin, Jake has become a pillar in the community and fan favorite for all the right reasons. We cannot thank Jake and his family enough for their contributions to the Penguins since he was drafted in 2013, and wish him our very best.” Guentzel's name had been brought up in trade rumors since February, when Dubas said he could be dealt in order to add youth the Pittsburgh's roster, which is the oldest in the NHL (30.8). "Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job handling a lot of that noise that's going on around the team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said following a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday. "Jake means an awful lot to these guys. When you win championships together, there's a certain bond there that's hard to put into words." Selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 77) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Guentzel has 466 points (219 goals, 247 assists) in 503 regular-season games. He also has 58 points (34 goals, 24 assists) in 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017. "He's a great player, great teammate. A friend," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "I think he did everything he possibly could in his time here. Just a privilege to play with him for the course of that time. Great memories. It was just a privilege, like I said." Smith, who was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (No. 17) of the 2018 NHL Draft, has 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. The 23-year-old has 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) in 123 NHL games. The Hurricanes (37-19-6), who defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Thursday, are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the New York Rangers. “Jake is an elite goal-scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level for his entire NHL career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. “Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We’re thrilled to bolster our lineup as we compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.” Bunting has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games this season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) on July 1. Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round (No. 117) of the 2014 NHL Draft, the 28-year-old forward has 162 points (70 goals, 92 assists) in 247 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes. He also has five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games. Ponomarev, who was selected by Carolina in the second round (No. 53) of the 2020 NHL Draft, has two points (one goal, one assist) in two NHL games this season. The 21-year-old also has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 41 American Hockey League games with Chicago and Tucson. Koivunen, 20, was selected in the second round (No. 51) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 57 games with Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league. Lucius, 19, was selected in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He leads the University of Wisconsin with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games as a sophomore. The Penguins (28-25-8) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season after qualifying in each of the previous 16. They are currently eight points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 Would that not be awesome if he decides to bail after the season.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegx.ca Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 ...bail back over to Pittsburgh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 1 hour ago, thegx.ca said: ...bail back over to Pittsburgh? That would be hilarious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 5 hours ago, thegx.ca said: ...bail back over to Pittsburgh? I was hoping that would happen! I would be pissed if I were the Canes tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 33 minutes ago, notfondajane said: I was hoping that would happen! I would be pissed if I were the Canes tho. Scoop is that they are trying to get a 8 year deal in place before 3 pm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 2 hours ago, Brewin Flames said: Scoop is that they are trying to get a 8 year deal in place before 3 pm.... I heard 9 million over 6 years. Pens offered 8.5 over 5 years. Is Guentzel a RFA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewin Flames Posted March 8 Author Share Posted March 8 UFA after the season ends... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted March 8 Share Posted March 8 53 minutes ago, Brewin Flames said: UFA after the season ends... Thanks! That tells me there is a chance he will come back. An outside chance, none the less, a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notfondajane Posted March 9 Share Posted March 9 19 hours ago, Brewin Flames said: Guentzel traded to Hurricanes by Penguins for Bunting, 2 draft picks Has 52 points in 50 games; Pittsburgh also receives forward prospects Ponomarev, Koivunen, Lucius © Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom March 07, 2024 Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday for forward Michael Bunting, forward prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, the rights to forward Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. Carolina also received defenseman Ty Smith in the trade. The first-round selection will become a second-round selection in the 2024 draft if Carolina does not advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh, which will retain 25 percent of Guentzel's salary, also won't receive the fifth-round pick unless the Hurricanes win the Cup. Guentzel has 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 50 games this season but hasn't played since Feb. 14 because of an upper-body injury. However, the 29-year-old forward is skating and is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve on Sunday. Guentzel is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract ($6 million average annual value) he signed with Pittsburgh on Dec. 27, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. “The decision to trade Jake Guentzel, with his contract set to expire this offseason, was one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in my time in management," Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas said. "In my first season with the Penguins, it has become quite clear why Jake means so much to his teammates, all Penguins staff and the City of Pittsburgh. Jake’s competitiveness, tenacity and spirit, combined with his talent, have produced some of the greatest moments of this era of Penguins hockey. A born and bred Pittsburgh Penguin, Jake has become a pillar in the community and fan favorite for all the right reasons. We cannot thank Jake and his family enough for their contributions to the Penguins since he was drafted in 2013, and wish him our very best.” Guentzel's name had been brought up in trade rumors since February, when Dubas said he could be dealt in order to add youth the Pittsburgh's roster, which is the oldest in the NHL (30.8). "Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job handling a lot of that noise that's going on around the team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said following a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday. "Jake means an awful lot to these guys. When you win championships together, there's a certain bond there that's hard to put into words." Selected by the Penguins in the third round (No. 77) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Guentzel has 466 points (219 goals, 247 assists) in 503 regular-season games. He also has 58 points (34 goals, 24 assists) in 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games, including helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2017. "He's a great player, great teammate. A friend," Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. "I think he did everything he possibly could in his time here. Just a privilege to play with him for the course of that time. Great memories. It was just a privilege, like I said." Smith, who was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (No. 17) of the 2018 NHL Draft, has 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in 51 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. The 23-year-old has 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists) in 123 NHL games. The Hurricanes (37-19-6), who defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Thursday, are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the New York Rangers. “Jake is an elite goal-scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level for his entire NHL career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said. “Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We’re thrilled to bolster our lineup as we compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.” Bunting has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games this season, his first with the Hurricanes after signing a three-year, $13.5 million contract ($4.5 million AAV) on July 1. Selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round (No. 117) of the 2014 NHL Draft, the 28-year-old forward has 162 points (70 goals, 92 assists) in 247 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes. He also has five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 playoff games. Ponomarev, who was selected by Carolina in the second round (No. 53) of the 2020 NHL Draft, has two points (one goal, one assist) in two NHL games this season. The 21-year-old also has 29 points (eight goals, 21 assists) in 41 American Hockey League games with Chicago and Tucson. Koivunen, 20, was selected in the second round (No. 51) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 57 games with Karpat in Liiga, Finland's top professional league. Lucius, 19, was selected in the fourth round (No. 124) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He leads the University of Wisconsin with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games as a sophomore. The Penguins (28-25-8) are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight season after qualifying in each of the previous 16. They are currently eight points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. Always reading this type of post no matter the team! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.