Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel underwent right ankle surgery on Wednesday, the team announced Friday. The surgery will require a 12-week recovery period, which means Guentzel will be re-evaluated just before the start of the 2023-2024 NHL season on October 10th. Dr. Chris Coetzee at Twin Cities Orthopedics performed the procedure.
Guentzel, 28, had an impressive season last year, putting up 73 points with 36 goals and 37 assists in 78 games. He is considered the Penguins’ most productive winger and is captain Sidney Crosby’s go-to guy on the top line. With Guentzel out, the Penguins will face challenges in scoring both at even strength and on the power play, making a hot start to the season less likely.
Furthermore, this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Guentzel, as he is entering the final season of his contract. Starting training from scratch during the season will be a significant setback for him. Ankle/foot surgeries are also known to be particularly difficult to recover from during the season.
Pittsburgh president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas expressed his disappointment with Guentzel’s injury, stating that it was apparent his ankle injury was not resolving satisfactorily. In collaboration with Guentzel, his representative Ben Hankinson, the Penguins medical team led by Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of UPMC Sports Medicine, and Dr. Coetzee, it was decided that surgery would be the best way to ensure Guentzel’s full recovery and performance in the upcoming season.
The Penguins now face the challenge of finding a replacement for Guentzel, who is their key offensive player. There is no immediate on-roster or in-system replacement for him. This could potentially lead to the team being weaker in terms of scoring and overall performance. The injury also puts pressure on Dubas to make strategic decisions, such as considering a second buyout within the 48-hour window. One potential target for a buyout is forward Mikael Granlund, who had a disappointing performance last season after joining the Penguins from the Nashville Predators.
However, there may be some silver linings for the Penguins amidst this setback. Keeping Granlund could provide an opportunity for him to prove himself as an NHL top-nine player and potentially increase his trade value. If he performs well, it would be easier for the Penguins to shed his $5 million cap hit. Additionally, Guentzel’s injury could push Dubas to pursue defenseman Erik Karlsson more aggressively. Karlsson is known for his offensive dominance and could be the impact player that the Penguins need to compensate for Guentzel’s absence.
Guentzel, who was selected by the Penguins in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft, has played his entire career in Pittsburgh. He was a key contributor to the team’s 2017 Stanley Cup championship. As he enters the final season of his five-year, $30 million contract, Guentzel’s recovery and performance will be crucial not only for the Penguins but also for his future in the league.
In conclusion, Jake Guentzel’s ankle surgery presents significant challenges for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Losing their most productive winger and captain Sidney Crosby’s go-to guy will undoubtedly impact the team’s scoring ability. The injury also puts pressure on management to find suitable replacements and make strategic decisions to ensure the team’s competitiveness. However, there may be opportunities for other players to step up and prove themselves, and the injury could potentially lead to further roster changes that could benefit the team in the long run. All eyes will be on Guentzel’s recovery and performance as he aims to return to full strength for the upcoming season.