PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He has 12 points in just eight games since joining the Hurricanes, the success Jake Guentzel has had with Carolina doesn’t surprise those who know him well.
“Jake is the type of player that could play schematically on any team because he’s a hockey player,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan Tuesday. “He’s a terrific hockey player. Regardless of what team he would have gone to, I think Jake would figure out a way to thrive and that’s what he did with Carolina.”
“Regardless of the team he went to, he was going to help them,” said Pens captain Sidney Crosby. “He’s a great player. I think he’s had a great time with them. It looks like he’s settled in nicely and produced a lot.”
That’s eight games, two goals, 10 assists for 12 points and a crazy plus 11. He has over twice as many takeaways as giveaways. The 5’11” forward is averaging a hit a game, nearly 18 minutes a game and nearly a blocked shot a game and the Canes are 6-1-1 since he started playing.
“The point production that he’s accomplished since he’s been there, it hasn’t surprised me,” Sullivan said.
“He’s got really good hockey sense,” Crosby said. “He can adjust to whatever game you want to play. Whether it’s tight checking and you have to grind a little bit or if it’s up and down and you have to play a game off the rush. He can do that too. He’s someone that can adjust to any style of play.”
Crosby said he’s talked to Guentzel a few times since the trade. The main reason is he wanted to make sure he was adjusting well and had recovered from the injury.
“We sat next to each other, played together,” Crosby said. “When you win a Stanley Cup there is always a unique bond when you do that together. Beside that, the length of time and some of the memories, definitely a strong one there.”
For two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday night, they will compete against each other. But who knows, maybe by September they will be teammates again?