The Tampa Bay Lightning got off to a good start in the free-agent market on Sunday, acquiring the rights of winger Jake Guenzel from the Carolina Hurricanes less than 24 hours before he was set to hit the open market.
The fact that the Lightning sent a 2025 third-round pick back to Carolina for an opportunity to negotiate early is a pretty good indication that they’re confident they can come to terms with Guenzel on a contract.
Guenzel is one of the top players available in this year’s free agent class. AthleticBig
The two-time Stanley Cup champion will play for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hurricanes in 2023-24, recording 30 goals and 77 points in 67 games.
Carolina wanted to keep Guenzel and offered him a $64 million, eight-year contract earlier this week, but he opted to move on after he didn’t match the offer. Because he wasn’t on the Lightning’s reserve list at the trade deadline, Guenzel can sign with Tampa Bay for up to seven years.
If the Lightning are successful in signing Guenzel, it would be the latest in a string of major changes to the team’s roster after general manager Julien Brisbois made two cap-clearing moves Saturday, sending defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to Utah and forward Tanner Jeannot to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman J.J. Moser, prospect Connor Geekie and draft picks.
BriseBois also announced that longtime captain Steven Stamkos will hit the free agent market on Monday, marking the end of an era for Stamkos, who became the face of the franchise after being drafted No. 1 by the Lightning in 2008.
The addition of Guenzel would give Tampa another top-six forward option to help fill the minutes and offensive gap left by Stamkos’ departure.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
