Penguins forward Jake Guentzel sidelined following ankle surgery
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With more than nine weeks before the opening of the campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins still have plenty of time to finalize the composition of their season-opening roster.
This week, that alchemy became a bit more complex.
On Friday, the team announced forward Jake Guentzel underwent surgery on his right ankle Wednesday.
No time frame for recovery was issued, but a release by the team indicated Guentzel will be “re-evaluated” in 12 weeks, a time frame that would stretch into late October.
The Penguins open the season Oct. 10.
There was no immediate word as to the specific nature of Guentzel’s injury or when it may have occurred. As recently as Monday, Guentzel had been competing in the high-profile “Da Beauty League,” a somewhat casual four-on-four summer league that is populated by several prominent NHLers from Minnesota.
Jake Guentzel was playing summer league hockey as recently as this week. https://t.co/u7Y7v2ddn8
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) August 4, 2023
Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas issued a statement regarding Guentzel.
“As Jake continued to increase the intensity of his preparation for the upcoming season, it was apparent that his ankle injury was not resolving in a way that was satisfactory to he or the Penguins. … It was decided that surgery would be the best way to ensure Jake would be at his best in 2023-2024.”
Dubas declined further comment through a team spokesperson. An email to Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, was not returned.
Last season, Guentzel appeared in 78 games and scored 73 points (36 goals, 37 assists) while averaging 20 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time.
A native of Omaha, Neb., who grew up in Woodbury, Minn., Guentzel was expected to play for the United States during the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship tournament in May but declined to participate as a precaution for an undisclosed ailment.
His absence creates a considerable void in the Penguins’ lineup as Guentzel, an All-Star in 2022, typically is stationed on the left wing of the top line with center Sidney Crosby and serves as a net-front presence on the top power-play unit.
Additionally, this ailment comes at a critical juncture in Guentzel’s career as the 28-year-old is entering the final year of a five-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $6 million. As of July 1, the Penguins are permitted to sign Guentzel to a contract extension.
In the immediate sense, Guentzel’s absence could provide the Penguins some temporary relief regarding their salary cap situation. At the moment, the team is projected to be $3,216,842 over the NHL’s salary cap ceiling of $83.5 million, according to Cap Friendly.
Given the presumption of a lengthy time frame required for recovery, Guentzel could be eligible to open the season on long-term injured reserve, a designation that would allow the Penguins to relieve themselves of some portion of Guentzel’s salary cap hit until he is ready to rejoin the active roster.
There are a handful of options to replace Guentzel in five-on-five situations.
The most prominent candidate is Reilly Smith. A steady 20-goal threat, Smith was acquired via trade from the Vegas Golden Knights in late June, though it was presumed he would be deployed on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin.
Another option is the disappointing Mikael Granlund. Acquired before the trade deadline in March, Granlund largely struggled as a member of the Penguins while primarily inhabiting a third-line role. A top-six winger during his time with the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators, Granlund generated five points (one goal, four assists) in 21 games with the Penguins last season.
Granlund’s name regularly has been connected to speculation of a potential buyout. As a result of re-signing bottom-six forward Drew O’Connor on Wednesday and avoiding an arbitration hearing, the Penguins will have a 48-hour window Saturday and Sunday to buy out any player who has a contract with a salary cap in excess of $4 million for the upcoming season.
Granlund has two years remaining on a contract with a salary cap hit of $5 million.
Additionally, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, right wingers who alternate with one another between the first and second lines, are each capable of manning the left wing.
Others the Penguins may consider as a replacement for Guentzel in a top-six role include are:
• The returning Alex Nylander. An All-Star at the American Hockey League level last season, Nylander can play either wing.
• Prospect Valtteri Puustinen, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ top scorer for the past two seasons. Listed as a left winger, Puustinen primarily skates on the right wing.
• Newcomer Andreas Johnsson, a free-agent signing in July who reached the 20-goal mark as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018-19.