"No Talks" On Extension Yet For Two-Time 40-Goal Scorer

Heading into the final season of a five-year, $30M deal with a $6M cap hit, elite Pittsburgh Penguins sniper Jake Guentzel is eligible for an extension this summer. But as of now, reports Pens beat writer Josh Yohe in The Athletic, there have been "no talks" thus far.

Coming off of yet another stellar offensive season, Guentzel is still likely to sign that extension, says Yohe, but new GM Kyle Dubas has been awfully busy with a number of other transactions to this point. Since July 1st, Dubas has gotten 15 players' names on new contracts, and he's still in the heat of major trade talks with the San Jose Sharks for Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. Yeah, that'll keep you busy. 

But Yohe says the two-time 40-goal scorer Guentzel is bound to be signed to a new deal... at some point.

"I can tell you that Dubas and Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, have a good relationship. I can tell you that the Big Three want Guentzel back for the duration. I have no reason to think that Guentzel doesn’t want to stay in Pittsburgh, nor do I have any reason to believe Dubas doesn’t want to retain him. 

"I’d be surprised if a deal doesn’t get done at some point in the next few months. As of early July, no talks had taken place, but given how busy Dubas is these days, this isn’t a shock."

The Athletic predicts that a new contract for Guentzel, if it gets done, should be in the $9M+ AAV range. 

Heading into his age-29 season, he has 197 goals and 414 points in 453 career games. Last season, he potted another 36 markers, with 37 assists for 73 points in 78 games. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports