Report: Red Wings interested in Jake Guentzel

The summer of 2024 is going to be a critical offseason for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, as several decisions lay ahead not only with regard to the extensions needed by franchise building blocks Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond but also the status of other pending free agents on the roster. 

In the meantime, fans are wondering if the Red Wings could be players in the free agent market and make a major splash that would help put them over the hump to end their postseason drought. One popular name that has routinely popped up is Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who has connections to both Yzerman and Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde from their time together in the Sunshine State.

But another top free agent set to hit the market when the calendar turns to July is forward Jake Guentzel, who has played the bulk of his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being dealt at this season's Trade Deadline to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Guentzel had himself another impressive performance in 2023-24, scoring 30 goals along with 47 assists while splitting time between Pittsburgh and Carolina. He also added four goals and five assists in 11 postseason games, as Carolina would eventually bow out to the New York Rangers in Round 2.

He's coming off a five year, $30 million deal that saw him earn an annual average value of $6 million a season. 

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