If the Toronto Maple Leafs are able to cut forward Mitch Marner's salary, they have big intentions, according to a claim from an NHL insider. Frank Seravalli reports that general manager Brad Treliving has his sights set on Jake Guentzel, one of the top players available as a free agent on July 1.
Before Guentzel becomes a free agency, the Carolina Hurricanes still have chance to sign him to an extension. But like the Maple Leafs, the Canes are in a situation where money needs to be shifted in order to make it happen. Guentzel is nearing the end of a five-year contract that he inked with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018 and carried a $6 million annual cap hit. The 29-year-old will soon get a sizable pay increase.
With 491 points in 520 NHL games played so far in his career, Guentzel is almost a point-per-game player. In 69 postseason games, he has contributed 38 goals and 68 points. He is therefore a very alluring option for any team in the league trying to bolster their roster. Without a doubt, he will have a plethora of offers if he manages to avoid signing a new contract with Carolina by July 1.
