Star Winger Jake Guentzel Will Sign With Tampa Bay.
It appears the Tampa Bay Lightning already will be the big winners as they acquired All-Star forward Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes for a draft pick, and were able to agree on a contract extension before he hit the free agent market.
| Expert Prediction: Stamkos goes to Nashville |
Guentzel Stats
Twenty-five of Guentzel’s last 30 goals came in 5-on-5 play, which would improve a Lightning team that leaned on its power play too much last season.
Among the things that stand out most about Guentzel is the plus-25 ratio, which would give the Lightning the two-way forward that GM Julien BriseBois indicated he needed to make them a better team defensively.
^MyBookie NHL Odds to Win Next Season
What about the trade?
The Canes traded Guentzel to Tampa Bay for only a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Clearly, the Hurricanes thought they couldn’t re-sign Guentzel.
Carolina reportedly offered him an eight-year, $64 million deal to stay. He will get a seven-year deal with the Lightning, worth a higher average value.
He should slide in at the left wing on either of the Lightning’s top two lines, essentially replacing Stamkos.
^Steven Stamkos
A lot of Lightning fans will be upset if the team lets him leave, but Guentzel is five-plus years younger and Tampa Bay can’t pay everyone.
BriseBois said he wanted to wait until after the season to see what the Tampa Bay roster needed, and then would offer Stamkos something within the financial confines of addressing those needs.
It’s possible that Stamkos goes to Carolina (+1200 to win Cup) to replace Guentzel and would provide a huge boost to a Hurricane’s power play that faltered in the playoffs.
They converted on just 19.4 percent of their opportunities after posting the second-best power play in the regular season at 26.9 percent.
The Nashville Predators (+3500) and Los Angeles Kings (+2200) also could be major suitors for Stamkos.
The Boston Bruins could also get involved. Stamkos is from the Toronto area, but the Leafs (+1600) may not have cap room to pursue him.
^2025 Stanley Cup Winner Odds for Top 5 Teams
- Edmonton Oilers +860
- Florida Panthers +900
- Dallas Stars +990
- New Jersey Devils +1100
- Colorado Avalanche +1125
2 Stanley Cups, 16 seasons, 1082 games.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 1, 2024
Thank you for the countless memories on and off the ice, Captain. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/NfqyxeQRZ4
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