Report: Canucks expected to pursue Guentzel in free agency
The Vancouver Canucks are among several teams that are expected to try and land unrestricted free-agent winger Jake Guentzel this summer, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.
Guentzel appears unlikely to re-sign with the Carolina Hurricanes, as the club has reportedly been shopping his rights before the UFA market opens July 1.
The Canucks reportedly discussed the possibility of flipping Elias Lindholm - who they had acquired midseason - in order to pursue Guentzel ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.
Guentzel produced 30 goals and 77 points in 67 games split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hurricanes last season. He added nine more points in 11 postseason contests.
The 29-year-old has averaged 36 goals and 77 points per 82 games during his eight-year NHL career. A 2017 Stanley Cup winner with the Penguins, Guentzel has recorded 38 goals and 67 points in 69 career playoff games.
Guentzel has several ties to the Canucks. Vancouver's president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, general manager Patrik Allvin, and head coach Rick Tocchet all worked in the Penguins organization during Guentzel's eight-year run in Pittsburgh.
The Canucks project to have $26 million in cap space this offseason, but they also have several UFAs of their own, including Lindholm, Dakota Joshua, Sam Lafferty, Teddy Blueger, Nikita Zadorov, Ian Cole, and Tyler Myers. Filip Hronek and Arturs Silovs are also RFAs. The club has reportedly been trying to move Ilya Mikheyev in an effort to clear cap space.