Penguins Rumors: Guentzel Has Huge Offer On The Table

Has Jake Guentzel turned down a huge extension offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins? A rumor making the rounds this weekend stems out of an "offhanded" comment made by Sportsnet hockey insider Nick Kypreos, who said that he's heard that the Penguins have offered their star forward a six-year, $8.33 million AAV contract to stay in the City of Bridges. But that contract, a sum total of $50 million, said Kypreos, has "not yet been signed." Do the two sides still need to... bridge the gap? 

According to Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, it would be somewhat of a surprise if Guentzel outright rejected an offer like that, although he admits that he could probably earn a higher sum as an unrestricted free agent this summer on the open market.

But does Guentzel want to leave the cozy confines of playing on a line with Sidney Crosby? 

SIDNEY WITH AN UNREAL DISH TO GUENTZEL 🍎 pic.twitter.com/8fZKMkh6IH

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 28, 2024

The 29-year-old winger is having another superb season skating with Sid, once again topping the point-per-game mark, with 22 goals, 27 assists and 49 points in 46 games. It's his seventh straight 20+ goal season, and thus far, the 4th time in five years that he's averaging above a point-per-game. 

One presumed sticking point that's been suggested in any Guentzel deal would be the inclusion of a no-trade clause. Perhaps that rumored $50 million deal from the Pens didn't include that type of protection?

In addition, it still remains to be seen if the Penguins stay firmly in the playoff race in the month to come before the trade deadline. If they drop out, you would think that all bets are off, and they could look to trade Guentzel and begin looking toward the future. 

That remains one of, if not THE biggest questions as we hurtle toward that March 8th deadline. There are plenty of contenders for whom the addition of a Guentzel could push them over the top. 

Photo: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports