SAD NEWS: It has been confirmed that Jaccob Slavin, a key player for the Carolina Hurricanes, is facing the distressing challenge of his first child being missing.

Jake Guentzel expressed his desire to remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but as their playoff prospects dimmed, Penguins president of hockey operations and GM Kyle Dubas traded Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes a couple of days before the NHL trade deadline.

Guentzel, 29, is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and Dubas acknowledged in his post-deadline conference that contract discussions between the two parties had not progressed since last summer.

Returning to Pittsburgh for a game against the Penguins, Guentzel reflected on the trade, stating that while his intention was to stay, the decision was ultimately out of his control.

When asked about his future plans, Guentzel opted not to dwell on the summer, focusing instead on the Hurricanes’ current season. Carolina is positioned as a strong contender for the Stanley Cup, potentially enhancing the conditional draft pick Pittsburgh received in the trade.

Despite not registering any points in the game against his former team, Guentzel has been a valuable addition to the Hurricanes’ lineup, contributing two goals and 10 assists since the trade.

Recognized for his chemistry with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Guentzel now finds himself on Carolina’s top line alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. While acknowledging the differences between his new teammates and Crosby and Bryan Rust, Guentzel appreciates their work ethic and contribution to the team.

The Penguins paid tribute to Guentzel with a video honoring his time with the team, evoking memories of his successful tenure in Pittsburgh.

Reflecting on his return to Pittsburgh, Guentzel expressed gratitude for the support he received from the city and its fans, emphasizing the significance of his time spent there.