Guentzel, Pesce, and Skjei are eager to re-sign with Hurricanes

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Among the Carolina roster 9 pending unrestricted free agents, including forward, and defensemen.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes are confronted with significant decisions this offseason. They have nine key players who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1st.

However, forwards Jake Guentzel, and Teuvo Teravainen and defensemen Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, and Tony DeAngelo, have expressed their desire to stay put.

“I loved my experience here,” Guentzel said Saturday. “It’s a great place to play. I don’t think you realize how great are behind the scenes. The guys make it good too. We’ll observe what unfolds in the near future.

Guentzel, who spent his first seven full NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was traded to Carolina on March 7 in exchange for forward Michael Bunting, three prospects, and a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He has just finished the last season of a five-year contract worth $30 million, with an average annual value of $6 million, which he signed with the Penguins.

Guentzel quickly added scoring power to the Hurricanes, tallying 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 25 regular-season games. His contribution aided Carolina in securing second place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 52-23-7. He contributed nine points (four goals, five assists) in 11 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Hurricanes, who believed they had a strong chance to win the Stanley Cup this season, lost the Eastern Conference Second Round to the New York Rangers in six games, the final loss coming at home on Thursday.

“This team definitely has what it takes to win the Stanley Cup,” Guentzel said. “I think it’s right there. This positions you well to accomplish that. I want to achieve that more than anything else, and it’s all I care about. That definitely plays a factor in it. Hopefully, I can find some stability and sign a long-term,” he said.

Teravainen finished the season with 53 points, including an NHL-career-high 25 goals, in 76 games. Traded to Carolina by the Chicago Blackhawks on June 15, 2016, he’s played the past eight seasons with Carolina and just completed a five-year, $27 million contract ($5.4 million AAV).

“I’ve had such a wonderful time here,” Teravainen said. “Everyone on this team has been amazing. Everything is good, so hopefully I can stay. You never know. It’s a new situation for me at the moment.”

Pesce and Skjei, who formed Carolina’s second defensive pairing, are both nine-year NHL veterans. Pesce, drafted by the Hurricanes in the third round (No. 66) of the 2013 NHL draft, just finished the final year of a six-year, $24.15 million contract ($4.025 million AAV) he signed on Aug. 1, 2017.

Skjei, a first-round (No. 28) selected by the Rangers in the 2012 NHL Draft, was traded to Carolina from New York on Feb. 24, 2020. He had previously signed a six-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.25 million with the Rangers on July 28, 2018.

“I simply desire a fair offer, that’s probably the most important aspect,” remarked Skjei. “We will see what that looks like. I love it here. It’s an amazing place. Great players, great guys. It’s a fun place to be for sure.”

Pesce participated in the first two games of Carolina’s first-round series against the New York Islanders before being sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs due to a leg injury. He disclosed on Saturday that he had fractured his left fibula. He suspects the initial injury occurred on a blocked shot in the first period of Game 2. Despite playing into the second period, he had to leave the ice after making a defensive zone turn. He resumed practice before Game 6 against the Rangers and intended to play if Carolina had reached the Eastern Conference Final.

“I’m hopeful we can come to an agreement here,” Pesce said. “Everyone knows I love it here. I love the guys. I can speak for (Skjei) too. We both want to be back. It’s pretty obvious.”

Skjei stressed the importance of staying with his defensive partner. The duo has been paired together for the majority of their four-plus seasons with the Hurricanes.

“I would love to play with Pesce forever,” Skjei said. “He’s an unbelievable guy, an unbelievable player. We’re great friends. If we could stay together, that would be a huge bonus.”

DeAngelo is also open to the possibility of returning to Carolina. He inked a $1.675 million deal with the Hurricanes for one year, starting July 24, 2023.

He recorded 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 31 games in the regular season, and he filled in for Pesce alongside Skjei for the last nine games of the playoffs, getting two assists.

“More games would be the most important thing, but you’ve also got to earn it,” DeAngelo said. “This would always be an option because of the way I feel about [coach Rod Brind’Amour]. I informed them that my phone would be turned on throughout the summer. If they call, it would be great. If they don’t, I totally understand too. The relationship I’ve had with him, even during some tough times this year when I wasn’t happy about not playing, was never anything personal. As long as he is present, it remains a viable choice.”

DeAngelo also played for the Hurricanes in 2021-22, during which he scored 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 64 games.