The Penguins locker room lost a huge presence yesterday with the trade of Jake Guentzel to Carolina, and it showed when they took the ice against the Washington Capitals. Paul Steigerwald recaps a difficult night at PPG Paints Arena. (6-0 loss)
Coach Mike Sullivan says the loss of Guentzel weighed heavily on the Pens.
Sullivan says it’s understandable that the Penguins were off stride, but they still have a job to do.
The coach says the Penguins are pros, and their problems aren’t all physical.
Guentzel was in his eighth season as a Penguin and will be an unrestricted free agent after this season unless he signs an extension with Carolina. He scored 219 goals with 247 assists in his time with the Penguins, including 22 goals with 32 assists this season.
Guentzel’s long-time center, Sidney Crosby, says he will miss his friend.
Crosby says the loss of Guentzel and whatever else may happen before today’s 3 PM trade deadline does not mean the Penguins’ season is over.
The trade of Guentzel and minor league defenseman Ty Smith to the Hurricanes brought an NHL forward, Michael Bunting, plus prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasili Ponomarev, and Cruz Lucius and two draft picks in return.
Bunting scored 13 goals with 23 assists while mostly skating on the ‘Canes second line. He’s in the first season of a three-year contract.
The three prospects are mostly considered mid-level, with a total of two NHL games between the three of them.
The draft picks are the Hurricanes’ first round pick this year, but only if they reach the Stanley Cup finals. If they fail to get that far, the pick is the Flyers’ second round choice, to which Carolina held the rights. The Pens will also get the ‘Canes fifth round pick, but only if they win the Stanley Cup this year.
The Penguins will also retain $1.5 million of Guentzel’s salary.
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