[Speculation] Hurricanes Rumors: Jake Guentzel Likely to Hit Market, Rights available for mid round pick

[RWJC]

Elliotte Friedman reported today on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the rights to Hurricanes forward Jake Guentzel are available for a mid-round pick. Friedman tells his audience that Carolina has made it known to other teams that the 29-year-old’s signing rights are available and adds that there will be a ton of interest. It was reported earlier this week that Guentzel was likely to test free agency and it makes sense for the Hurricanes to pivot and try to recoup an asset after dealing Michael Bunting, three prospects, and a second-round pick to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline to acquire Guentzel.
 

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/06/east-notes-marner-red-wings-guentzel.html#ref=home

 

 

Edited June 7 by RWJC

[CBH1926]

One of the 3rd round picks for his rights, 8mill per year for 6 years, makes sense for the Blackhawks.

JG is good forechecker, protects the puck well and would open up space for Bedard.

[RWJC]

Canucks: Has the pursuit of Jake Guentzel been rekindled? We're about to find out

 

Brn Kuzma

 

In the hunt for a top-six winger, Jake Guentzel has always been in the Vancouver Canucks’ crosshairs.

However, pulling a trigger on the pending unrestricted free agent was going to be complicated — but now there’s clarity. The Carolina Hurricanes will accept a mid-round draft pick for the rights to negotiate with Guentzel before July 1 free agency because he appears destined for the open market.

 

The Canucks don’t have first- or second-round selections in the 2024 NHL Draft but could part with a third or fourth if they’re convinced landing Guentzel is a marriage of current fit and past connection. And they also would get a leg up on several suitors.

The Pittsburgh Penguins received Michael Bunting, three prospects, a conditional 2024 first- and fifth-round draft picks in the Guentzel transaction and also retained 25 per cent of his salary. The trade also brought Ty Smith to the Hurricanes, so the Canucks surrendering a pick for negotiation rights for Guentzel doesn’t seem as daunting.

 

After all, the Canucks would have had to part with prospect winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki and defenceman Tom Willander, plus a high draft pick, to cement a pre-deadline Guentzel transaction. That’s some sticker shock.

 

The Canucks’ hockey operations department of head coach Rick Tocchet, general manager Patrik Allvin and president of operations Jim Rutherford has a Penguins history with Guentzel. The degree to which they have long coveted the left winger was evident before the trade deadline on March 8.

 

The Canucks considered flipping the struggling Elias Lindholm to the Boston Bruins, who lost a bid to land the centre before Vancouver struck a deal on Jan. 31, to free up space and take a run at Guentzel.

 

However, the Penguins dealt him to the Hurricanes in what was tight to be a critical long-term addition for Carolina.

 

The Canucks know they will go from hunters to the hunted next season after capturing the Pacific Division title and nearly advancing to the Western Conference final.

 

They require more offence from forwards with a presence and playoff pedigree — and somebody to finally mesh with Elias Petterrsson or perhaps align with J.T. Miller — because the window to win is now.

That will come at a cost. Guentzel has an expiring US$6 million salary cap hit and players at his performance level are earning more and will command big raises in free agency.

 

Rutherford knows Guentzel has 38 goals in 69 playoff games, including four in six Stanley Cup Final outings. He’s a finisher on the biggest stage and doesn’t shy away from the spotlight.

 

His 30 goals in 67 games this season with the Penguins and Hurricanes nowhere a warm-up for the second season where he struck four times in 11 games.

 

Guentzel earned a Stanley Cup ring in 2016 as a Penguins rookie and his 21 points (13-8) in 25 playoff games were a hint of future potential. He has had a pair of 40-goal seasons and often benefited from developing chemistry with Sidney Crosby. That will resonate with Rutherford.

 

It’s an intriguing development because the Hurricanes can’t afford to lose two top-six wingers. Restricted free agent Martin Necas, 25, has piqued the Canucks’ trade interest — and still might — but the disgruntled winger is now considered a budding star and Carolina wants star power in return.

 

Meanwhile, the encouraging post-season performance of pending UFA Lindholm, 29, has put the versatile forward back in the roster conversation. His 10 points (5-5) in 13 games, strong penalty-kill presence, effectiveness in faceoffs and shutdown roles, and even a willingness to play physical, is not lost on the Canucks.

 

And Lindholm checks a lot of boxes for Tocchet.

 

“In pressure situations, you’re looking for smart players,” said the Canucks bench boss. “He’s going to protect that back door and have his stick in the lane to deflect a puck, instead of it getting on net. And if there’s a rebound, he’s got his guy. It’s the little things.”

 

However, the Bruins have continued interest in Lindholm because of a pressing need at centre, and even if the Canucks offered a seven-year deal at $7 million annually, it still might not be enough.

 

In a thin free-agent market at that position, Lindholm is going to cash in because the Bruins will have the cap space and willingness to massage their roster. They have three restricted and eight unrestricted free agents, but don’t have a veteran first-line centre.

Meanwhile, a rise in the salary cap for next season will help the Canucks absorb the Pettersson hit as his rich eight-year, $92.8 million extension kicks in and carries an $11.6 million annual cap it.

 

However, the ceiling limit of $88 million from $83.5 million this season is far from a fix-all solution. It has not risen more than $4 million since increasing to $4.5 million from $75 million in 2017-18 to $79.5 million in 2018-19.

 

That’s encouraging, but the Canucks can’t sign everybody. They have $24 million in projected cap space and several issues to address.

Pending UFAs Dakota Joshua and Nikita Zadorov will earn more in the market, but Tyler Myers is expected to take a discount on what he could command.

 

And if Allvin is true to his word about “finding the next Dakota Joshua,” as opposed to using it as a negotiating tactic to extend the big winger, then a cheaper alternative could also help with a Guentzel pitch.

 

bkuzma@postmedia.com

https://apple.news/AOEnNgZ3_QjCVhcAWzRFswQ

[spook007]

On 6/7/2024 at 8:23 AM, R3aL said:

I wonder if he would on a 1 year deal take a little less this year 

 

one he gets one more year here and two he sets himself up for a massive pay day.

 

he builds on his year hits 20 goals or even has a similar year and he’s guaranteed a 4.75-5.5 long term deal by some team come summer.

 

he knows if he stays healthy he will be in an environment he can succeed and it could be best for his development to stay o e more year in the system and staff that believes in him and play with guys that he has serious chemistry with 

 

 

it would be a massive gamble for him... if he has an injury, he may never get a pay day?

Doubt he would risk that for an added 3/4-1.5 M/year... if he is offered $4M for 3-4 years,  I'm sure he'll take it... Maybe slightly less for years.

[IBatch]

Speculate CAR offered him around 8 and change, full years, 66 ish total.   As a starting point.  If the expert predictors have him at 9.5 x 7,  CAR only has to go up another 250-500k and they've got around the best offer he's likely going to get from a low state tax team with any space for him.     Very tough for Vancouver to compete with that.  

 

The Canucks would need to offer him over him well over 10 to match, if it's just about money, and well, if he goes to free agency and leaves a team like CAR, it kind of is, net pay is what these guys look at too.   Do think if a cup matters to him, CAR is a good place to stay.    The Canucks, wouldn't this gut the team?    And well the Canucks are a good team.    Not like PIT, their time is over like WSH is. 

 

Think they'd like to add him.   Maybe he loves Tochett as a coach.    And Vancouver as a place to live, aside from that, and maybe money isn't a motivating factor, do believe he put himself in a position for a massive pay day.   A proven playoff performer, rare ability to amp his game up when it matters the most, not just maintain the status quo, and his 25 points in 17 games more then proved he can produce without Crosby.    IF Allvin manages to sign him at 9.5 x 7, that should be considered a massive win as far as the signing goes.   As far as the team make-up goes ... not sure at all.   Is Lindholm at 7 x 7 a better path? 

 

Even if we did manage to sign him at the reported price 9.5 x 7, what does that do to our D-core.   And who leaves.     Hronek is as good as gone pretty sure of that.    And if they let a reasonably priced Z go at 5.25 x 5/6 then fuck.   That.    We've finally got a D-corp we should be proud of.   

[Boudrias]

5 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Speculate CAR offered him around 8 and change, full years, 66 ish total.   As a starting point.  If the expert predictors have him at 9.5 x 7,  CAR only has to go up another 250-500k and they've got around the best offer he's likely going to get from a low state tax team with any space for him.     Very tough for Vancouver to compete with that.  

 

The Canucks would need to offer him over him well over 10 to match, if it's just about money, and well, if he goes to free agency and leaves a team like CAR, it kind of is, net pay is what these guys look at too.   Do think if a cup matters to him, CAR is a good place to stay.    The Canucks, wouldn't this gut the team?    And well the Canucks are a good team.    Not like PIT, their time is over like WSH is. 

 

Think they'd like to add him.   Maybe he loves Tochett as a coach.    And Vancouver as a place to live, aside from that, and maybe money isn't a motivating factor, do believe he put himself in a position for a massive pay day.   A proven playoff performer, rare ability to amp his game up when it matters the most, not just maintain the status quo, and his 25 points in 17 games more then proved he can produce without Crosby.    IF Allvin manages to sign him at 9.5 x 7, that should be considered a massive win as far as the signing goes.   As far as the team make-up goes ... not sure at all.   Is Lindholm at 7 x 7 a better path? 

 

Even if we did manage to sign him at the reported price 9.5 x 7, what does that do to our D-core.   And who leaves.     Hronek is as good as gone pretty sure of that.    And if they let a reasonably priced Z go at 5.25 x 5/6 then fuck.   That.    We've finally got a D-corp we should be proud of.   

I prefer that Vancouver spread the money around to more players than acquiring a 29 year old Guentzel. A lot of money and term let alone the dynamics of such money going to a player versus what is being paid to the core now. I don't view that as positive.  

[Alflives]

18 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Speculate CAR offered him around 8 and change, full years, 66 ish total.   As a starting point.  If the expert predictors have him at 9.5 x 7,  CAR only has to go up another 250-500k and they've got around the best offer he's likely going to get from a low state tax team with any space for him.     Very tough for Vancouver to compete with that.  

 

The Canucks would need to offer him over him well over 10 to match, if it's just about money, and well, if he goes to free agency and leaves a team like CAR, it kind of is, net pay is what these guys look at too.   Do think if a cup matters to him, CAR is a good place to stay.    The Canucks, wouldn't this gut the team?    And well the Canucks are a good team.    Not like PIT, their time is over like WSH is. 

 

Think they'd like to add him.   Maybe he loves Tochett as a coach.    And Vancouver as a place to live, aside from that, and maybe money isn't a motivating factor, do believe he put himself in a position for a massive pay day.   A proven playoff performer, rare ability to amp his game up when it matters the most, not just maintain the status quo, and his 25 points in 17 games more then proved he can produce without Crosby.    IF Allvin manages to sign him at 9.5 x 7, that should be considered a massive win as far as the signing goes.   As far as the team make-up goes ... not sure at all.   Is Lindholm at 7 x 7 a better path? 

 

Even if we did manage to sign him at the reported price 9.5 x 7, what does that do to our D-core.   And who leaves.     Hronek is as good as gone pretty sure of that.    And if they let a reasonably priced Z go at 5.25 x 5/6 then fuck.   That.    We've finally got a D-corp we should be proud of.   

If Lindy costs us 7.5 x 8 and Guentzel costs us 9.5 x 7 then I’m hoping we go with Lindy. That 2 mil of yearly cap allocation is important. Plus Miller is at 8 per and he took less to be here. Don’t want Guentzel coming in and throwing our internal cap out of whack. IMHAO JR/PA see the internal cap as very important and will not go more than Miller for Guentzel. They will go the 8th year for Lindy instead.

 

[R3aL]

7 hours ago, spook007 said:

it would be a massive gamble for him... if he has an injury, he may never get a pay day?

Doubt he would risk that for an added 3/4-1.5 M/year... if he is offered $4M for 3-4 years,  I'm sure he'll take it... Maybe slightly less for years.

Ya true just wishful thinking. I’m sure a team is gonna offer him money we can’t get close to

[HKSR]

3 hours ago, Alflives said:

If Lindy costs us 7.5 x 8 and Guentzel costs us 9.5 x 7 then I’m hoping we go with Lindy. That 2 mil of yearly cap allocation is important. Plus Miller is at 8 per and he took less to be here. Don’t want Guentzel coming in and throwing our internal cap out of whack. IMHAO JR/PA see the internal cap as very important and will not go more than Miller for Guentzel. They will go the 8th year for Lindy instead.

 

I think our internal cap is now Pettersson....

[Coconuts]

2 hours ago, HKSR said:

I think our internal cap is now Pettersson....

 

Yeah, the bar shifts, Miller ain't the bar. If Boeser stays he may end up being close to Miller, maybe a little higher. 

 

Hughes will be higher, probably Demko too if we extend him.

[Lemon Face]

12 hours ago, Alflives said:

If Lindy costs us 7.5 x 8 and Guentzel costs us 9.5 x 7 then I’m hoping we go with Lindy. That 2 mil of yearly cap allocation is important. Plus Miller is at 8 per and he took less to be here. Don’t want Guentzel coming in and throwing our internal cap out of whack. IMHAO JR/PA see the internal cap as very important and will not go more than Miller for Guentzel. They will go the 8th year for Lindy instead.

 

Alfitis.We dont know numbers out there.Everything is speculation.Agent hyping up numbers like a crazy.

[RWJC]

NHL Trade Rumors: Canucks Linked To Jake Guentzel

 

Dave Litman 

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

 

The Vancouver Canucks have some big free agents to take care of, forwards Elias Lindholm and Dakota Joshua and defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Tyler Myers among them. But word is now circulating that they're looking outside their own circle to add talent this summer, in the form of top pending UFA Jake Guentzel.

 

Beat writer Ben Kuzma has written in The Province that the Canucks are a factor in the new Guentzel trade sweepstakes after the Carolina Hurricanes made it known this past weekend that his rights are available in a trade for a mid-round draft pick. 

 

“The Canucks don’t have first- or second-round selections in the 2024 NHL Draft but could part with a third or fourth if they’re convinced landing Guentzel is a marriage of current fit and past connection. And they also would get a leg up on several suitors.”

 

The 'past connection' Kuzma speaks of is Guentzel's history with team president Jim Rutherford, head coach Rick Tocchet and GM Patrik Allvin. Plus the fact that the Canucks were considering flipping the recently acquired Elias Lindholm back in March to the Boston Bruins in order to have the cap space (and lineup fit) to trade for Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the time. 
 

Would acquiring Guentzel and then looking at an expensive extension in the $8M-$9M AAV range make sense for Vancouver? According to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, it does. All it would mean was revisiting the 'Lindholm out, Guentzel in' scenario they already considered earlier this year:

 

"If the Canucks are willing to give Lindholm $7 million, why not just add 1 to 2 million to go after Jake Guentzel?" asked Dhaliwal. We passed along a report this past weekend that a 7 yrs x $7M AAV offer was what Vancouver was considering for Lindholm.
 

“The need is more at wing than center," he continued, "and it would solve a big issue in the top-six." In addition, pairing him up with Elias Pettersson would be a tremendous fit. 

 

The ball is in the Canucks' court. 

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/06/nhl-trade-rumors-canucks-linked-to-jake.html

[Elias Pettersson]

I agree with Dhaliwal.  Might as well add the $1-2 million and get a 40 goal scorer for Petey.  Petey prefers to play centre anyways, so Guentzel is a more natural fit for him than Lindholm.  Lindholm would be too expensive as a 3C.  If you get Guentzel to play with Petey, then you can re-sign Blueger to be your 3C.

[RWJC]

6 minutes ago, Elias Pettersson said:

I agree with Dhaliwal.  Might as well add the $1-2 million and get a 40 goal scorer for Petey.  Petey prefers to play centre anyways, so Guentzel is a more natural fit for him than Lindholm.  Lindholm would be too expensive as a 3C.  If you get Guentzel to play with Petey, then you can re-sign Blueger to be your 3C.

Agreed. And Blueger’s stats at mid season were pretty solid in contrast against the majority of his peers in similar circumstance. I imagine Nux brass were pleased with his value past season. Will be interesting to see how much of a raise he earns. 

[Rip The Mesh]

 

[Rip The Mesh]

 

[Billabong]

Based on my calculations, the Canucks can pay him 8.5m/7 years while still having enough money to fill out the rest of the roster

[The Duke]

Being able to go 

 

Miller-Boeser

Petey-Guentzel

Suter-Garland (Or Bleuger-Garland)

 

Is a pretty good trio of duos to build your top 9 around and shouldn’t be crazy prohibitive if we can’t get Lindholm done. 

[Rip The Mesh]

Get Guentzel if you can. Would make the team better, (if some other things go well).....

[Coconuts]

Mmmm, I'd rather go after Stephenson+. 

[Rip The Mesh]

 

[canuck73_3]

On 6/3/2024 at 7:59 AM, stawns said:

Rumour he wants to stay in the US

Remember when you were banging this drum about JT Miller? 

 

 

[R3aL]

1 hour ago, Coconuts said:

Mmmm, I'd rather go after Stephenson+. 

There is a part of me that is open to the idea of chandler.

 

My concerns are, and this is my biggest concern for Chandler he isn't a high end finisher.

 

Hes a strong forechecker and skate, versatile forward positionally. Could 3C with Garland or flank Petey on the LW. 

 

So if you had:

 

Stephenson-Petey-Marchesseult

 

I could see that working. And maybe if JL is seriously ready to go out of camp there is a world that maybe that works too:

 

Stephenson-Petey-JL

 

Hard to project or expect JL to be top line ready out of camp though.

 

But If it is:

 

Stephenson-Petey-Hoglander/Mikehyev/Garland

 

I am much much less inspired.

 

What I do like about chandler is he could sign a pretty good value deal that could age well. He is versatile in that he can be a LW or a C, be involved on both sides of special teams and is a good skate and forechecker. I also like how reports on him are he takes care of his body very well, and should age into his 30s well though too.

 

If the choice was keeping Stephenson and Joshua vs bringing in Guentzel considering, what roles are being filled:

 

Stephenson and Joshua bring lots of lineup flexibility, Power forward, forechecking, PKers

 

Guentzel will Elevate our team ceiling, elevate Petey and complete our PP

 

Total goals could be close both Stephenson are expected 16-20 goal scorers and Guentzel is an expected 30-40 Goal guy.

 

And retaining Blueger in the JG scenario that would really help me feel comfortable about our PK situation as no lindholm or blueger who is our PK1 C? I dont love it being Miller or Petey regularly.

[Smashian Kassian]

I like Lindy alot, but if he's set on trying to go to Boston for more opportunity (it's an obvious fit), then pivoting to Guentzel would be great too.

 

The $$$ makes me a little nervous but he's a legit top line player & he should fix our PP too.

[Pears]

Sure is an awful lot of smoke around us and Guentzel right now.