The Pittsburgh Penguins 2023-24 season hasn't gone the way that they would have hoped, and now they have some major decisions to make ahead of the March 8 trade deadline.
According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, Jake Guentzel has received a massive contract extension offer from the Penguins, but ultimately turned it down, citing that the deal wasn't enough term or money.
That deal was worth $50 million over six years, placing it right at around $8.5 million per year, but on the back of a fantastic year, it appears that Guentzel is ready to bet on himself.
In 46 games this season, Guentzel has tallied an impressive 22 goals and 49 points, second on the team only to Sidney Crosby, and now, his future in Pittsburgh is up in the air.
Trade incoming?
Despite moving significant pieces for Erik Karlsson in the summer, the team may now finally be aware that it's time to recoup some of the assets they've moved, and according to Elliotte Friedman, they won't be buyers at the trade deadline.
Friedman on the Pens (NHL Network): "I don't think they're going to be buyers... Pittsburgh is not going to be trading 1st RDers or 2nd RDers or their best prospects for short-term fixes. I think this is a team that realizes it needs to rebuild some of its capital"
This doesn't mean that the Penguins will sell on Guentzel, as the home grown star will likely get another, bigger offer from Pittsburgh, but unless something can be signed before March 8, a trade becomes a major possibility.