Elliotte Friedman predicts Jake Guentzel will end up with the Chicago Blackhawks
Sportsnet Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman has linked Carolina Hurricanes winger and soon-to-be free agent Jake Guentzel to the Chicago Blackhawks, linking up with Calder winner Connor Bedard.
Guentzel, a two-time all star, was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he had spent the last eight seasons alongside Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
In 67 games for Carolina and Pittsburgh, Guentzel had 30 goals, 47 assists & 77 points, with 4 goals, 5 assists & 9 points in 11 games in the playoffs for the Hurricanes, who lost to the New York Rangers in the second round of the NHL playoffs in six games after beating the Islanders in round one.
Guentzel's offense would have led the Blackhawks in goals, assists & points, with Bedard in 2nd in all categories. (Tied with Jason Dickinson in goals with 22)
It's unclear what sort of deal Guentzel is looking for. A projection from The Athletic projects Guentzel as having a value of $9.6M over seven seasons. Guentzel, 29, is likely to want to settle down with a large contract after proving his worth in Pittsburgh, looking for a payday to be a potential top option elsewhere.
Drafted 77th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by Pittsburgh, Guentzel has a career total of 227 goals, 264 assists & 491 points in 520 games played for the Penguins and Hurricanes.
Chicago currently has $33,790,000 in cap space for next season, with nine unsigned free agents.
| POLL | ||
Should the Chicago Blackhawks sign Jake Guentzel to mentor Connor Bedard? | ||
| Yes | 458 | 76.5 % |
| No | 141 | 23.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
