• Guentzel did not leave the Penguins on the best of terms. He was particularly agitated by a perceived lack of forthright communication from Dubas, a source close to Guentzel said.
However, Guentzel would not deny Dubas an opportunity to pitch him on a potential return to Pittsburgh if Guentzel tests free agency in July. Guentzel’s fondness for the Penguins supersedes any ill feelings toward Dubas, said a team source and a source close to Guentzel.
Still, Guentzel reuniting with the Penguins was described by one source as “a long shot” because “he’s loving it in Carolina, and (the Hurricanes) feel the same.”
• The Penguins are operating as though goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will have better offers in free agency than they can afford in an attempt to retain his services, a team source and a source close to Nedeljkovic said.
Dubas hinted last Friday the Penguins are comfortable going into next season with Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist as their goaltending tandem.
• Dubas engaged with multiple teams about forward Reilly Smith going into the trade deadline, but he found no takers because Smith wasn’t on an expiring contract. That will change once the new league year starts, and Dubas expects a more favorable market for Smith, a team source and a source close to Smith said.