Trade Imminent: Jake Guentzel Turns Down Massive Contract Extension in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made their objectives clear this year. The team is dead set on returning to the playoffs. However, the long-term outlook of the team remains in doubt, leading one of their top players to question whether or not it is in his best interests to re-sign with the club.
Guentzel Rejects Six-Year Extension Offer From Penguins
According to Frank Seravalli, the Penguins have already offered Guentzel a six-year, 50 million dollar contract. However, Guentzel was reportedly not happy with both the money and term so it was an easy offer for him to reject.
Guentzel is currently having one of the best seasons of his career with 22 goals and 49 points in 46 games so far this season.
With production like that, it is understandable why he would reject this offer from the Penguins. He could likely get both more money and more term on the market. As such, the Penguins will have a very difficult decision to make with the forward.
Penguins To Trade Guentzel At Trade Deadline?
The team has remained adamant that they intend to keep the team competitive as long as possible. That means holding onto pending unrestricted-free-agent Jake Guentzel. However, cracks are starting to form in the Penguins story as Elliotte Friedman reported today that the team is considering taking a step back and retooling.
Friedman on the Pens (NHL Network): "I don't think they're going to be buyers... Pittsburgh is not going to be trading 1st RDers or 2nd RDers or their best prospects for short-term fixes. I think this is a team that realizes it needs to rebuild some of its capital"
This could be an indication that the team will reconsider what to do with Jake Guentzel. If the player is rejecting their offers, their hands may be tied. It is very likely that Guentzel will sign with a new team in free agency should it come to that, which would be a disaster for the Penguins. Stay tuned to see what Kyle Dubas does with his team in the next few weeks.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 202 ANSWERS Trade Imminent: Jake Guentzel Turns Down Massive Contract Extension in Pittsburgh Do you think Guentzel will re-sign with the Penguins? | ||
| Yes | 61 | 30.2 % |
| No | 141 | 69.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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