Yohe's 10 observations: Following Penguins' win, Jake Guentzel says 'intention was to stay'

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PITTSBURGH — Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 38 of 39 shots, Sidney Crosby recorded 3 points and the Pittsburgh Penguins earned a somewhat surprising 4-1 victory over the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

The real story, however, was Jake Guentzel, during and after the game.

Guentzel, one of the most beloved Penguins over the past decade, made his return to Pittsburgh after being traded to the Hurricanes on March 8.

After the first TV timeout, Guentzel received a boisterous, lengthy standing ovation during and following a video tribute in his honor.

Forever a Stanley Cup Champion and Penguins legend.

Thanks for the memories, Jake. Stay cool. Never change. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/bmTEL4zsmp

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 26, 2024

Guentzel seemed emotional following the crowd's reaction.

Thunderous and deserving standing ovation for Jake Guentzel: pic.twitter.com/XkPc7STtaQ

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) March 26, 2024

Guentzel has been nothing short of spectacular since joining Carolina, but he was quiet in his first game against his former team, finishing with no points despite registering six shots on goal.

He was not, however, quiet after the game.

Guentzel isn't one to produce shocking quotes, and all he did was answer a few postgame questions with what appeared to be complete honesty.

"My intention was to stay," Guentzel said. "They just thought there was a better direction. It's out of my hands. It's not my choice."

It's pretty well known in Penguins circles that Guentzel never wanted to leave Pittsburgh, that he loved the organization and the community, and that he wanted to sign a new deal with the only team he had ever known.

No significant contract negotiations ever took place.

Guentzel was asked whether he would consider signing with the Penguins on July 1, when he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

He offered an understandably non-committal answer, explaining that he's happy in Carolina and that he's not thinking about the summer.

In Guentzel's final days with the Penguins, he was out with an injury and was still a presence around the team. But he looked very much like a player who knew he was about to be traded.

"You're not really sure what's going to happen," he said. "Not being able to help the team was tough. I got a little heads-up that something (a trade) was going to happen. I just soaked up those last days."

Guentzel has a very real affection for Pittsburgh.

"It's special to be back here," he said. "I kind of grew up here. A lot of good memories in this building and of this city. Obviously, it's good to be back."

Guentzel has found a home in Raleigh and, specifically, on Sebastian Aho's line. The two have made plenty of magic together. Guentzel has two goals and 12 points in nine games with the Hurricanes.

He said he was pleased to hear the Hurricanes were the team that had landed him.

"I was really excited," he said. "They like to play fast, like to play hard. It's been unbelievable so far."

 Ten postgame observations

• So, what to make of Guentzel's comments?

Honestly, I think he was being completely honest and his words should be received as they were intended. It's clear to me that Guentzel was upset the Penguins didn't make more of an effort to sign him to a long-term contract.

We can weigh the pros and cons all day long about Guentzel returning to the Penguins. He's obviously a great player, a point-per-game stalwart who is one of the greatest big-game players in Penguins history. He's also the "winger for Sid," which is to say, Crosby never found a true Robin to his Batman until Guentzel came along.

It's also understandable that the Penguins wouldn't want another 30-something — Guentzel turns 30 in October — making enormous amounts of money for most of the coming decade when they're already one of the league's oldest teams and with few prospects.

It's an interesting debate with no right or wrong answer.

There's no question, however, that there was some bitterness in Guentzel's tone. Carolina is a great fit for him, and I'm sure he will continue to thrive with the Hurricanes. And I believe him when he says he was happy to be traded there. In other words, if he had to be traded, Carolina was indeed high on his list. This, however, is very clearly a player who didn't wish to be traded in the first place. He never wanted to leave, as he said.

• So, what about July 1?

We can't deny this reality. If Guentzel wants to be in Pittsburgh so badly, and if Crosby loved playing with him, then what is preventing him from returning via free agency?

It's up to Kyle Dubas; only he has those answers. My instincts tell me that had Dubas wanted to keep Guentzel in Pittsburgh, he would have done so.

Could it be that Dubas felt like gambling on what he knew was a lost season by trading Guentzel, knowing full well he could sign him July 1 while subsequently adding to the Penguins' prospect pool?

It sounds a little far-fetched, though there are people within the organization who believe there is a very real possibility that Guentzel will return. We shall see.

• There is an irony with Guentzel playing for the Hurricanes. Once upon a time, the Penguins wouldn't have won a championship — in 2009 — without Jordan Staal. He, too, was traded to Carolina.

Now on the back nine of his career, Staal is Carolina's captain and acknowledged having some flashbacks to the night he returned to Pittsburgh in a different uniform.

"There were definitely some memories and some similar emotions when I saw that video for him," Staal said. "He did a lot of big things for this organization."

• As he often does when Carolina is in town, Crosby waited patiently outside of the Hurricanes' dressing room to say hello to an old friend. Usually, it's Staal.

This time, Crosby waited quietly until he had an opportunity to speak with Guentzel.

They had uncommon telepathy on the ice and evolved into very good friends during their time together in Pittsburgh.

• Speaking of Crosby, he had another excellent evening at the office. He assisted on Bryan Rust's game winner in the second period.

Fun fact: Bryan Rust has seven goals (7G-3A) over his last ten games 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KCsFXRhJya

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 27, 2024

Crosby also received a helper on Drew O'Connor's empty-net goal and then, with the goalie again pulled, scored his 34th goal of the season.

This gives Crosby 76 points in 71 games. He's now 6 points away from tying Wayne Gretzky's mark of producing a point per game or better in each of a player's first 19 NHL seasons.

Crosby has 7 points in his past two games and next has two games against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a franchise he has historically tortured.

• Nedeljkovic was razor-sharp against his former team. His glove hand was especially good, as was his rebound control.

I like many things about his game. It was evident Tuesday that Nedeljkovic has a good feel for when to hold for a whistle and when to speed up the tempo.

The Penguins would be wise to sign him to a new deal this summer. His work ethic is top-notch. His talent is legitimate, too.

• The Penguins were outshot 39-22, but don't be fooled by that number. It's just how Carolina plays. The Hurricanes put shots on net at will, and they're so proficient defensively that they simply don't allow many shots.

It was an evenly played game, and the Penguins received excellent goaltending.

• Sam Poulin saw his first action of the season and played 9:11. He was fine. Nothing special. Here's hoping he remains in the lineup so we can get a better look at him.

He didn't look out of place, but I question whether his skating is good enough to thrive in the NHL.

• Jonathan Gruden threw a clean hit in the third period, then had to answer the bell by fighting Stefan Noesen.

That's what the league has become. There was nothing wrong with Gruden's hit. I also didn't like that Noesen continued throwing punches — and landing them on Gruden's head — after Gruden was already down. Not a good look.

• Jesse Puljujarvi scored the game's first goal and was good all evening.

A big goal, a bigger smile 😃 pic.twitter.com/0YOMGgtnNB

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 27, 2024

He plays with a mean streak at times, and he's better when he plays that way.

He has talent and plays cheap, and he's an interesting player to monitor. He's under contract for next season, and I'd bet on him being in the top 12 when next season begins. Puljujarvi isn't a great player, but there is potential there.

(Photo of Jake Guentzel waving to the crowd after the Penguins' video tribute: Charles LeClaire / USA Today)