PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – No one scored more goals for the Pens last year than top line winger Jake Guentzel. The 5'11" forward will not be ready for the start of the season. The Pens announced on Friday, Guentzel had ankle surgery August 2nd in Minnesota.
"As Jake continued to increase the intensity of his preparation for the upcoming season, it was apparent that his ankle injury was not resolving in a way that was satisfactory to he or the Penguins," said Pens President and General Manager Kyle Dubas in a statement released by the team. "In collaboration with Jake - his representative Ben Hankinson of Octagon Sports, 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 Jake would be at his best in 2023-2024."
Sidney Crosby's partner for the last couple of years, Guentzel will be looked at again in November, nine games into the season. The 28-year-old had 36 goals in 2022-23 after 40 the season previous. The winger also had a 40-goal season in 2017-18. He will be a free agent after this season, in the final year of a five-year, $30 million contract.
