A Possible Jake Guentzel Reunion isn't Out of the Question for this Off-Season

When a former star player lights it up with a new team�it's bittersweet. Jake Guentzel's been on fire since he joined the Metropolitan Division rival Carolina Hurricanes, but there's this lingering hope among Pittsburgh Penguins fans that maybe, just maybe, he'll find his way back to the black and gold.

Guentzel's contract is up soon, and he's set to test the free agency waters. While it might seem like a long shot, there's some chatter going around, thanks to Josh Yohe's insights from the Athletic, that the Penguins could reunite with Guentzel this offseason . Yohe writes.


They had the chance to lock him down earlier, but they decided to trade him to the Hurricanes instead. Now, with the salary cap on the rise and some potential roster moves in the works, the stars could align for a comeback.

Sure, Guentzel's been dazzling with the Canes, as he scored the shootout winner to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and already has a couple regulation goals. Yet imagine the scences if the Pens can snag him back at a reasonable price. It's a tempting thought.

Jake Guentzel could possibly return to the Penguins

However, Guentzel's playing like a superstar, and that kind of talent doesn't come cheap. Some are speculating he could command a salary north of $10 million a year. That's a hefty chunk of change, even for a team like the Penguins who were paying him $6million, albeit at a discount before the trade. Still, they're keeping the door cracked open for a potential return.

Now, there were some sad faces around the Penguins organization when Guentzel got traded away. Yet deep down, they know it's all part of the game. They made the best move they could at the time, and they're not dwelling on the past. General Manager Kyle Dubas also got some promising prospects in return, and Michael Bunting's been a pleasant surprise since joining the team.

Yes, losing Guentzel stung, but the Penguins aren't letting that change their aspirations. They still have their sights set on the playoffs, despite dropping seven points back with 14 games left, after Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center, in a game I attended. They've got their eyes set on the playoffs and they're not looking back. Let's see what transpires.

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