Guentzel, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, began the 2023-24 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins before being shipped to the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of the trade deadline in March. In 67 games with Pittsburgh and Carolina, Guentzel recorded 77 points (30 goals, 47 assists), 22 penalty minutes and was a plus-25. While with the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 29-year-old added nine points in 11 games.
By dealing Tanner Jeannot to Los Angeles and Mikhail Sergachev to Utah on Saturday, Tampa Bay moved out enough salary to ensure that they'll be able to sign Guentzel to a long-term contract at a high cap hit. It also likely means that officially, Steven Stamkos won't be returning to the Lightning and becomes an unrestricted free agent on Monday at 12 pm ET.
