Penguins and Jake Guentzel: A Match Made in Pittsburgh

Penguins and Jake Guentzel: A Match Made in Pittsburgh Sources close to the Penguins organization reveal that a long-term contract extension for star forward Jake Guentzel is nearing completion. The 27-year-old winger has expressed his desire to remain in Pittsburgh, and the team is eager to lock up one of its most important players. The deal is expected to be in the range of 7-8 years with an average annual value of approximately $8 million. NHL Draft: Penguins Targeting High-End Talent The Penguins are projected to hold the 22nd overall pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. GM Ron Hextall has indicated that the team is targeting a high-end forward or defenseman with their selection. Among the potential targets are Connor Bedard, Matvei Michkov, and Adam Fantilli. Free Agency: Penguins Looking for Depth As free agency approaches, the Penguins are expected to be active in pursuit of affordable depth players. With the salary cap remaining flat, the team will be looking for players who can fill specific roles on the team without breaking the bank. Potential targets include forwards Evan Rodrigues and Dominik Kahun, as well as defensemen Anton Stralman and Jan Rutta. What I Hear * The Penguins are also interested in re-signing defenseman Kris Letang, but a long-term deal is unlikely. * Forward Bryan Rust is expected to test the free agent market before making a decision on his future. * The Penguins are exploring potential trade options for forward Kasperi Kapanen. * The team has received positive feedback from potential free agents regarding the organization’s culture and winning tradition.Penguins and Jake Guentzel, NHL Draft and Free Agency: What We Hear The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly interested in re-signing Jake Guentzel to a long-term contract extension. Guentzel, 27, is a restricted free agent this summer. He is coming off a season in which he scored 40 goals and 84 points in 76 games. The Penguins are also reportedly interested in signing a veteran center to add depth to their lineup. Some potential targets include Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, and Paul Stastny. In other news, the Penguins are reportedly looking to trade defenseman John Marino. Marino, 25, is a solid two-way defenseman who is entering the final year of his contract. The NHL Draft is scheduled to take place on July 7-8 in Montreal. The Penguins have the 21st overall pick in the first round. They are also expected to make several picks in the later rounds. The NHL free agency period begins on July 13. The Penguins are expected to be active in free agency, as they look to improve their team for the upcoming season.