Penguins might lose their star player due to crazy contract demand

Kyle Dubas and his team now need to prioritize their tasks, and one of them should be securing the services of Jake Guentzel.

Although Guentzel may not be considered as one of Pittsburgh's "big 3," his contributions to the team cannot go unnoticed.

Currently earning a $6 million AAV, Dubas needs to prioritize locking down this talented winger who deserves a raise.

The Athletic predicts that Guentzel could be making $9.2 million in the 2024-2025 season, should Dubas extend his contract.

For the Penguins, finding the cap space to retain this star player is crucial. Guentzel has already scored 197 goals and earned 414 points in 453 NHL games. However, if he demands a higher salary, he could end up making more than the "Big 3," who have always taken team-friendly deals. Even Evgenii Malkin's salary was less than $9 million, with Sid the Adult earning $8.7 million against the cap and Kris Letang sitting at $7.8 million AAV.

Ultimately, it is up to Guentzel to determine his worth, but with Dubas in charge and Guentzel coming off a less productive year, it will be interesting to see how negotiations progress.