The Pittsburgh Penguins franchise finds themselves in a situation their not used to. The team has missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 years, costing Brian Burke and former general manager Ron Hextall their jobs.
Guentzel will be playing on the last year of his current contract, which means the Pittsburgh Penguins can offer Guentzel a contract extension this summer. If a deal can't be worked out there is no way Pittsburgh can let Guentzel walk to free agency without getting some assets in return.
Guentzel is the player on the roster that would bring back the most assets if Pittsburgh decides to move on. With most of the core on the wrong side of 30, the time might be now to start really planning for the future.