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Jake Guentzel buries the Pittsburgh Penguins in new interview

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Samer Dagher
July 18, 2024 (3:25 PM)

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Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jake Guentzel

Photo credit: BR

In a new interview, Jake Guentzel shared his thoughts on joining the Tampa Bay Lightning and explained why he left the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This offseason has been chaotic, with many teams resetting their core. The Pittsburgh Penguins began that process last season by trading star winger Jake Guentzel.

With no extension in place, Guentzel played the season with the Carolina Hurricanes and was heading for free agency. However, just days before free agency, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning and immediately signed an extension.

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LOCKED IN.

We have signed forward Jake Guentzel to a seven-year contract worth an AAV of $9 million.

After signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guentzel finally spoke for the first time, making some critical remarks about his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In his first comments since signing with the Lightning, Guentzel expressed excitement about joining a new team and returning to a Stanley Cup contender.

"There's a lot of high-end players, elite players on the team, and just an unbelievable opportunity for me and my family to go do something else on our own," Guentzel said. "It's going to be fun for us. It's going to be different, it's going to be challenging, but it's going to be something that we're looking forward to."

He mentioned that last season was challenging due to injuries and being traded but is excited to work with a new team towards the Stanley Cup Finals.

"It's a new team, a new division, and a new opportunity," Guentzel said. "Last year was a really different year for me with injury and being traded and what not, but I learned a lot, too. I think heading into this season with Tampa is going to be really exciting just to see what we can manage to do together with all the high-end talent there is."

Fans are interpreting these comments as a direct criticism of the Penguins, who have struggled in recent seasons. Guentzel had previously expressed his desire to stay in Pittsburgh but felt overlooked by GM Kyle Dubas.

My intention was to stay. They thought there was a better direction.

Now, Guentzel heads to a new opportunity, replacing Steven Stamkos, who signed with the Nashville Predators. It will be interesting to see if he can succeed with the Lightning or face similar challenges as in Pittsburgh.

Source: Hockey Trade RumorsJake Guentzel takes a shot at the Pittsburgh Penguins with recent comments

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POLL
18 JUILLET \| 83 ANSWERS Jake Guentzel buries the Pittsburgh Penguins in new interview Do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins should have re-signed Jake Guentzel?
Yes	63	75.9 %
No	20	24.1 %
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