GUENTZEL EXPECTED TO TEST FREE AGENCY

TORONTO, ON — Jake Guentzel is not closing the door on the Carolina Hurricanes, but it does not sound like he is ready to commit long-term just yet.

Confirmed by separate sources over the weekend, the Hurricanes have had discussions with Guentzel and his camp, led by agent Ben Hankinson, and the initial word is he “probably goes to July 1,” according to one well-placed source with knowledge of negotiations.

Guentzel has earned the opportunity to test the market this summer and wants to weigh all his options before cementing his future on a long-term contract, presumably for the next seven years. This is not to suggest he will not end up back in Raleigh when the dust settles, but much like how his talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins went this season before being traded to Carolina, the 29-year-old wants to understand the long-term direction of the team before making a decision.

When the Hurricanes acquired Guentzel the night before the March 8 trade deadline, they made it clear they want this to be a lengthy, fruitful marriage. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind the Canes went into this situation hoping Guentzel would be around well beyond this season. They’ve made their case, and barring a mega contract offer that’s too good to pass up this month, the 2017 Stanley Cup champion is planning to see what’s out there.

The Hurricanes have a fair bit of work to do over the next month. In addition to Guentzel, forwards Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen, and defencemen Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo and Jalen Chatfield are all set to become unrestricted free agents July 1.

The Canes’ management brass, led by Interim GM Eric Tulsky, Assistant GM Darren Yorke and owner Tom Dundon, have already initiated/resumed discussions with most, if not all, pending UFAs. The outside belief around the League is that Carolina will take a strong run at trying to re-sign Pesce and Skjei, as they should. Talks with Pesce last summer and at the start of this season didn’t go over too well, as is my understanding, but if the club prioritizes him and Skjei, maybe this next round of talks will push things in a positive direction.

Teravainen’s camp is expected to make a call in the next week or so regarding the 29-year-old’s future; do they go hard into extension talks or focus on testing the market? Mid-season negotiations were nonexistent, even when his agent visited Raleigh before the trade deadline.

Another matter is pending restricted free agent Martin Necas, who is arbitration eligible. As both Anthony Di Marco and I have reported, the sense around the NHL is he could command upwards of $7 million to $7.5 million per season on a max-term extension. The Hurricanes haven’t jumped deep into negotiations yet, and until they do, they’re telling other teams making trade inquiries to hang tight.

There is a lot of interest in Necas; as I stated on NHL Network on Friday, at least a dozen teams have him on their radar. Some clubs have already reached out and are being told to wait, as Tulsky & Co. want to take a stab at signing him, first. Calgary, Nashville, Seattle, Philadelphia, Montreal and Vancouver are among the teams with interest.

Guentzel will attract significant interest if he does get to July 1. Equally important to him as the value of his next deal is the environment. He wants to win, and he wants a shot at winning year-in, year-out.

After putting up 30 goals for the third-straight season and accumulating 77 points in 67 games with the Penguins and Hurricanes, Guentzel will be among the top prized goal-scorers of this summer’s free agent class. Only Sam Reinhart (94 points, 57 goals) and Steven Stamkos (81 points, 40 goals) registered more points than Guentzel in 2023-24 and many around the League expect both of them to re-sign with their current teams. Jonathan Marchessault (42 goals) and Tyler Toffoli (33 goals) also scored more than Guentzel this season, and as I previously reported this past week, Marchessault’s agent Pat Brisson will begin talks with the Vegas Golden Knights this coming week about an extension, while Toffoli (two and a half years older than Guentzel) will be hitting the open market.

Guentzel made $6 million AAV on his last contract and he is likely to see that figure climb above the $8 million neighbourhood on his next deal. Whether that happens in Carolina or elsewhere is an answer we’ll know in less than a month’s time.

HERE AND THERE

• There was a lot of talk in Vancouver last week over a potential contract extension in the works for Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers. As I reported on NHL Network on Friday, I reached out to his agent J.P. Barry and was told the chatter is just “noise” at this point. The two sides have just started talking. I’m not suggesting a deal isn’t possible, but it’s premature at this point. It’s clear both sides are interested in getting something done.

• The Canucks have also shown interest in bringing back forward Teddy Blueger and have spoken to his agent, as well. But there are a lot of moving parts in Vancouver beyond him and Myers – Nikita Zadorov, Dakota Joshua and Elias Lindholm are also pending UFAs, while Filip Hronek can hit RFA status July 1 and is in line for a big raise – and the Canucks plan on circling back with Blueger later this month.

• Minnesota Wild defenceman Alex Goligoski hasn’t made a final decision yet as to his future. There’s talk he may consider hanging up his skates, but as of now I’m told he’s keeping his options open.

• After the trade deadline, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes acknowledged he would be open to being a buyer this June, like he was in each of the last two drafts: “If we see an opportunity again at the Draft, we’ll look to continue that path.” While the Habs are willing to explore ways to improve to their roster, the word out of Montreal is the Habs have prioritized the Draft over making trades for the time being. With the fifth-overall pick and 26th overall pick, I’m curious if Hughes considers packaging the latter selection in a move for a young, NHL-proven scorer.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs started contract negotiations with winger Tyler Bertuzzi last week. It is still very early in the process, which makes it difficult to predict which way this will go, but there is mutual interest in keeping this relationship going.

• The Leafs have also expressed interest in re-signing Joel Edmundson, however I’m told the rugged defenceman plans on testing free agency next month. He is open to returning to Toronto, but he wants to explore his options before deciding his future. Meanwhile, the Leafs have not started negotiations with another mid-season acquisition, Ilya Lyubushkin, who is also set to become a UFA.

• Barring a sudden change in discussions, all signs point to defenceman Derek Forbort also testing the free agent waters July 1 and moving on from the Boston Bruins.

• Now that their season is over, the New York Rangers will soon begin formal contract discussions with Igor Shesterkin’s camp on an extension. He has one-year remaining on his current contract and projects to be the highest paid goaltender in NHL history. Carey Price (still on the books) leads the list with a $10.5M AAV, followed by Sergei Bobrovsky ($10M AAV) and Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5M AAV).

• Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner told us Saturday on “The Hot Stove” on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio that he plans on speaking with new Columbus GM Don Waddell in coming days, and then it’s time to “get to work.” He’s excited about the changes coming, as Waddell’s mandate is to get this team into the playoffs.

• The NHL Draft Combine is coming up; that’s where GMs and agents find themselves all together for the first time before the NHL Draft. This is also a time when talks between teams and between teams/agents begin to pick up steam. Let the silly season begin.

• News Team, assemble! With the Stanley Cup Final starting Saturday, June 8, between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, the TFP band is getting back together for daily video coverage (even off-days). Join us for a full slate of content every day throughout the Final, beginning Friday, June 7, from media day. We’ll then head to Vegas for the NHL Draft to keep the party going. It’s a fun (long) month ahead. Come along for the ride.

• AND... don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and you’ll be automatically entered to win a free pair of CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro Skates courtesy of CCM Hockey with a value of around $1,000. One lucky winner will be randomly selected at the conclusion of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.