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Maple Leafs have sights set on Jake Guentzel if salary can be moved out

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TJ Tucker
June 18, 2024  (3:38 PM)
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Insider Frank Seravalli is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a very keen interest in signing free agent Jake Guentzel if money can be moved

According to a report from an NHL insider, the Toronto Maple Leafs have huge plans if the team can manage to shed the salary of forward Mitch Marner. According to Frank Seravalli, General Manager Brad Treliving has his sights set on one of the biggest names on the free agent market come July 1 in Jake Guentzel.

"The Leafs could be in the mix to sign Jake Guentzel if they can trade Mitch Marner. Other teams that could take a run at Guentzel include the [Vancouver] Canucks, [Florida] Panthers, [Washington] Capitals, and [New York] Rangers."

There is still time for the Carolina Hurricanes to sign Guentzel to an extension before he hits the free agent market. However, the Canes are in a similar spot to the Maple Leafs where money would have to be moved in order to make it happen. Guentzel is finishing up a five year deal signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018 that carried a cap hit of $6 million per season. The 29-year-old is in line for a big raise.

Seravalli also mentions that Vancouver is expected to be all-in on attempting to sign Guentzel, as the team tries to shore up it's lineup for the 2024-25 season.

"We're 13 days from Free Agency: Vancouver #Canucks expected to make a strong play for Jake Guentzel if he makes it to market."

Guentzel has played 520 games in the NHL so far in his career, and is very close to a point-per-game player with 491. He's also played 69 games in the post season, scoring 38 goals and 68 points. This makes him a very attractive option to just about any team in the league looking to improve their squad. There's no doubt he'll have plenty of offers if he makes it to July 1 without a new contract with Carolina.

POLL

If he makes it to free agency, where do you expect Jake Guentzel to land?

Toronto Maple Leafs2112.9 %
Vancouver Canucks3622.1 %
Pittsburgh Penguins4427 %
Other6238 %
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