Jake Guentzel addresses his departure from the Penguins: “My intention was to stay.”
There was one obvious reason why 17,913 fans packed PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night to see the Carolina Hurricanes take on the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins.
That was to see former winger Jake Guentzel make his first visit to Pittsburgh wearing an opponent’s sweater after the Penguins traded him to Carolina.
The Hurricanes lost 4-1, and Guentzel, an eight-year Penguins veteran and Stanley Cup champion in 2017, was made available to reporters to discuss the circumstances of his departure.
“My intention was to stay, but they just thought it was a better idea to go another way,” he explained. “It is beyond my control, so I have no choice.”
Guentzel, who is in the final season of a five-year, $30 million contract signed with the Penguins in 2018, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Guentzel also answered a postgame question about a possible reunion with the Penguins.
“I do not know. “I’m not sure,” he replied. “We’ll see how the year goes. I really enjoy it in Carolina.”
Given the circumstances of Tuesday evening, Jordan Staal’s early career with the Penguins were most likely an afterthought for the fans in attendance.
Staal, now 35 and Carolina’s captain, was drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2006 and spent his first six NHL seasons with the Penguins, winning the Stanley Cup in 2009.
During a first-period stoppage, the PPG Paints Arena video board played a tribute to Guentzel, who spent the majority of his career in Pittsburgh as Sidney Crosby’s highly productive linemate.
Staal probably related the most to the experience of anyone in the building, having been a beloved Pittsburgh player before becoming the focal point of a major trade out of town in the summer of 2012.
“He’s been a great player for this team for a long time and has had some incredible moments for this organization, so it’s really cool to watch that video,” Staal said. “We’re glad to have him on our team.” You share the same emotions because he is an incredible player. Just a fantastic organization, wonderful memories, and I’m sure Guentzel feels the same way.”
Guentzel, who rose from a third-round draft pick (2013, No. 77 overall) to become one of the Penguins franchise’s most prolific scorers, appreciated the fans’ gesture and ovation.
“It’s special to be back where you grew up,” he said. “This rink, building, and city hold many fond memories for me. You reflect on all of your memories from here. The video is just a neat little touch that they add. “It’s pretty cool.”
Finally, Guentzel played a quiet first game against the Penguins.
He skated for 21 minutes and 6 seconds and took six shots without scoring, a rare occurrence in his brief career with Carolina. In his first eight games in Raleigh, he had two goals and ten assists.
“I think every one of us in here was probably trying to keep him off the scoreboard as best as we could,” said goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who
Nonetheless, Guentzel has impressed—and even exceeded—his new coach, Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour.
“He’s a better player than I probably thought he was, to be honest,” Brind’Amour admitted. “I knew he was a great player, but there are some things that you don’t see as a coach on another team. Then you get him, and you watch him now for the little details; he’s a very talented player.”
Guentzel quickly joined the Hurricanes’ top line, skating on left wing alongside alternate captain and center Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.
To begin, Brind’Amour had deployed Guentzel on the second line with fellow recent Hurricanes acquisition Evgeny Kuztensov, a well-known former Penguins antagonist from his
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