The Carolina Hurricanes made a big deal just hours before the National Hockey League trade deadline by acquiring forward Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
In exchange, the Pennsylvania club gets its hands on Michael Bunting, as well as hopefuls Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev and Cruz Lucius. He also earned conditional first and fifth round picks in this year’s draft.
If the Hurricanes reach the Stanley Cup Final, the Penguins will get their first pick. Otherwise, it will be a right to speak in the second round. The fifth selection will only be transferred if the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.
The Penguins will also pay 25% of Guentzel’s remaining salary, who could become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Aged 29, Guentzel has scored 22 goals and amassed 52 points in 50 games since the start of the campaign. In his career, he has 219 goals and 466 points in 503 games, all with the Penguins.
“Jake is an elite scorer and playmaker who has produced at a high level throughout his NHL career,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said in a statement.
Smith, 23, has collected nine goals and 32 points in 51 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American League.
“Ty is a young, offensive-minded defenseman who will provide us with another reliable option on the blue line. We are excited to strengthen our roster as we look to bring the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh. »
With the 4-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, the Hurricanes are in second place in the Metropolitan Division, four points behind the New York Rangers, with a record of 37-19-6.
Bunting hit the target 13 times and added 23 assists for 36 points in 60 games.
Of the three prospects involved in the trade, Ponomarev is the only one who has played in the NHL. He has a goal and an assist in two games this season.