Jake Guentzel, Lightning agree to seven-year deal at $9 million AAV

Nearly 10 hours after the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired the rights to Jake Guentzel, Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli reported Sunday the two sides have agreed to terms on a contract.

On Monday, multiple reports made the news official: Guentzel’s deal is for seven years and carries a $9 million AAV,

On Sunday, the Lightning acquired Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick.

The 29-year-old spent last season with the Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points. He was acquired by Carolina in a trade just before the NHL Trade Deadline, with the Penguins receiving Michael Bunting and a slew of draft picks and prospects.

Guentzel was in the final year of a five-year, $30 million deal signed ahead of the 2019-20 season. Since he and the Penguins could not agree to terms on a new deal, the team traded him before the deadline.

Guentzel was originally selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins. Through eight NHL seasons, he has 227 goals and 264 assists for 491 points in 520 career games.

He’s also appeared in 69 playoff games, scoring 38 goals and 29 assists for 67 points. He was a major contributor during the Penguins’ second of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17, his rookie season.

The Lightning went 45-29-8 with 98 points in 2023-24. They were eliminated in five games in the first round by their in-state rival, and the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers.