Hurricanes Rumors: Carolina Working on 2 Major Contract Extensions

The Carolina Hurricanes are trying hard to keep a couple of their key players around next season. While major change is expected as they don't have enough money to go around for all of their pending free agents, it sounds like the team has turned their attention to bringing back Jake Guentzel and Brady Skjei. 

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic is reporting the team have had discussions with both players and while no deal is imminent, it feels like talks are progressing in a positive direction.

The Hurricanes acquired Guentzel in a mid-season trade thanks to a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team. There's been a bit of speculation about a potential reunion with Guentzel in Pittsburgh, however the Hurricanes are trying to avoid any possibility. 

The 29-year-old winger recorded an impressive 25 points in 17 games down the stretch of the regular season in Carolina and also added four goals and five assists in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games. Any extension Guentzel signs, regardless of the team, is going to be a huge contract and one of the more expensive ones signed this summer.

As for the Hurricanes blue line, it appears they are prioritizing keeping Skjei over Brett Pesce. The veteran d-man has played in Carolina for five seasons and had himself a career year, recording 47 points. Pesce is expected to hit the open market July 1. 

In other news out of Carolina, GM Don Waddell has stepped down and the team named Eric Tulsky as the interim GM for the time being.

Photo credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports