March 7, 2024 | 11:27pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HURRICANES ACQUIRE GUENTZEL FROM PENGUINS

Jake Guentzel, forward

The Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins have finalized a trade involving sniper Jake Guentzel.

Guentzel and defenceman Ty Smith have been traded to the Hurricanes in exchange for left wing Michael Bunting, right wing Ville Koivunen, centre Vasili Ponomarev, right wing Cruz Lucius, a 2024 conditional second-round draft pick and a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick.

The Hurricanes have also retained 25 percent of Guentzel’s contract.

The conditional second-round pick can become a first-round selection if the Hurricanes make the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Guentzel ranked No.1 on the TFP Trade Watch List.

“Jake is an elite goal scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level for his entire NHL career,” said Hurricanes GM Don Waddell. “Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We’re thrilled to bolster our lineup as we compete to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh.”

Bunting, 28, is in the first year of a three-year, $13.5 million contract and owns a 10-team no-trade list.

The Hurricanes had been engaged in trade discussions with the Pittsburgh Penguins for winger Jake Guentzel for some time and were one of three teams still in the hunt for him, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta, joining the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights.

Guentzel, 29, is in the final year of a five-year, $30 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

In 50 games with the Penguins this season, he has tallied 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points.