Several months after joining the Penguins and despite the lucrative contract he signed with the Lightning, forward Jake Guentzel is still clearly disappointed about leaving Pittsburgh.
“Staying in Pittsburgh has always been my goal,” said the 29-year-old hockey player in an interview with The athlete. It’s the truth. I said it last year at the start of the season. This is where I wanted to be.”
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However, general manager Kyle Dubas didn’t have the same desire as Guentzel. On March 7, the Pens’ GM traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes.
“I realized pretty quickly that it was a business,” Guentzel said.
With the Canes, the American collected 25 points in 17 games during the regular season. He also collected 9 points in 11 playoff games with the Carolina club.
Güntzel then signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Bolts. The striker knows very well that he now has to live up to the expectations associated with such an agreement.
“There’s a lot of pressure on me,” he said. But that’s exactly what’s fun. I’m ready for it. I have learned a lot over the years. I learned so much in Pittsburgh.”
Guentzel learned in particular from one Sidney Crosby, who played with the famous number 87 for almost eight seasons.
“It really helped me to have played with Sid. I learned from him and all the great players and coaches that came through Pittsburgh during my time there.”
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