Lightning Trade for Jake Guentzel's Rights

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded for the rights to forward Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Guentzel, a key player known for his goal-scoring ability, had 77 points in 67 regular-season games last season and was instrumental in the Penguins' 2017 Stanley Cup win. The Lightning made this move to prevent Guentzel from entering free agency and have been clearing cap space by trading Mikhail Sergachev and Tanner Jeannot. Guentzel has a strong playoff record with 67 points in 69 games and is coming off a five-year, $30 million contract.