The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forward Jake Guentzel on the Injured Reserve (IR) list, citing his anticipated absence for up to four weeks with a projected return in early March.
In addition, the team has recalled three forwards from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins: Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Valtteri Puustinen.
The Penguins have recalled forwards Jonathan Gruden, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Valtteri Puustinen from the @WBSPenguins.
Forward Jake Guentzel has been placed on Injured Reserve. Guentzel is expected to miss up to four weeks with a projected return to the Penguins in early March.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 15, 2024
Guentzel, 29, exited Wednesday’s game against the Florida Panthers due to injury. While there wasn’t a specific play that caused the injury, he did receive a few hits during the game, potentially contributing to the issue. Despite leaving the game with an assist and three shots on the net, Guentzel’s departure was notable.
As the team’s leading scorer, Guentzel has amassed 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points in 50 games this season, tying him with Sidney Crosby for the team lead in points. Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, Guentzel was on track for his second 80-point season, having achieved his first in 2021-22 with 84 points (40 goals and 44 assists) in 76 games.
Having spent his entire eight-year NHL career with the Penguins since debuting in the 2016-17 season, Guentzel has accumulated 219 goals and 247 assists for 466 points in 503 career games. Selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he played a pivotal role in helping the Penguins secure a Stanley Cup championship.
Guentzel is currently in the final year of a five-year contract with a $6 million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason, making him a potential target for teams leading up to the 2024 trade deadline.
Currently, the Penguins occupy the seventh spot in the Metropolitan Division with a 23-20-7 record, trailing the Detroit Red Wings by seven points for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh aims to halt their three-game losing streak as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EST.
