28-year-old forward Jake Guentzel has hit 20+ goals for the last six seasons straight. In two of those he hit the 40 mark, and just last season he had 36. Points-wise, he had 73 in 2022-23, and 84 the year before. If he can do that next season, he'll be looking at an increase of the free agency market over the $6 million he made over the past six seasons on Pittsburgh. According to the latest from The Athletic, Guentzel wants his annual average value to go beyond the $9 million mark.
One of the questions that's dogged Guentzel his entire career so far is whether he can put up those types of numbers without playing on a regular basis with teammate Sidney Crosby. You'll find many on both sides of the debate, but I'm willing to bet he'll get it from Dubas or he'll want it elsewhere. If he does not re-sign with Pittsburgh before the end of 2023-24, he'll be one of the biggest names on the market. At this stage, Guentzel wants this to be his last big deal that keeps him some place for as long as possible.
