Well before the 2023-2023 Season Ended, Jake Guentzel and the Pittsburgh Penguins had visions of the two quickly agreeing to an 8-year deal in the neighborhood of $68-$72 Million contract and as early as when the calendar hit July 1 last summer. That all changed once Ron Hextall was fired after the 2022-2023 season. That’s what has always complicated the Penguins and Guentzel relationship since the hiring of Kyle Dubas who was never on board with that type of long-term commitment which eventually led to Guentzel being traded last March.

When it’s all said and done over the next week, Guentzel is regarded as being highly likely to come out of free agency with a deal in that neighborhood the previous Penguins regime planned to sign him too.

Multiple NHL sources indicate the agent Ben Hankinson is said to have a market established for his client where the Guentzel camp believes he will receive offers as high as 7 years in the $9.5 million range on July 1 and that $68-$70 million range is a sweet spot whether it’s an 8 year (resign with Carolina or acquire his rights) or 7 year deal. Multiple clubs are working behind the scenes to see if acquiring the rights to Guentzel will lead to a deal.

As the clock is ticking, Carolina has taken a major step forward by getting To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

There’s a number of obvious suitors emerging but there’s also some surprising teams trying to get in on Guentzel, including the Washington To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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BUY-OUT MARKET

Buffalo will be buying out 32 year old winger Jeff Skinner. Skinner had $22 million remaining on his deal and was due $10 million this season. Buffalo gets a huge cap savings and there is linkage to To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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