"Jake Guentzel is not closing the door on the Carolina Hurricanes, but it does not sound like he is ready to commit long-term just yet.
Confirmed by separate sources over the weekend, the Hurricanes have had discussions with Guentzel and his camp, led by agent Ben Hankinson, and the initial word is he «probably goes to July 1,» according to one well-placed source with knowledge of negotiations.
Guentzel has earned the opportunity to test the market this summer and wants to weigh all his options before cementing his future on a long-term contract, presumably for the next seven years. This is not to suggest he will not end up back in Raleigh when the dust settles, but much like how his talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins went this season before being traded to Carolina, the 29-year-old wants to understand the long-term direction of the team before making a decision."
