Huge blow to the Penguins with latest update on Jake Guentzel

The Pittsburgh Penguins are attempting to give it one last go with the famed trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang in their lineup despite having missed the playoffs last season for the first time since Crosby's rookie campaign of 2005-06. 

However, the team and new general manager Kyle Dubas have been put behind the 8-ball in a major way with this afternoon's announcement. Forward Jake Guentzel, one of Pittsburgh's top offensive threats, has gone under the knife for ankle surgery and will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks, meaning he could miss the first few weeks of the regular season.

Dubas released the following update: 

"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," said Dubas. "In collaboration with Jake - his representative Ben Hankinson of Octagon Sports, the Penguins medical team led by Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC Sports Medicine, and Dr. Coetzee - it was decided that surgery would be the best way to ensure Jake would be at his best in 2023-2024."

Last season, Guentzel scored 36 goals with 37 assists.

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