Wilkes-Barre Watch: Guentzel never cooled off

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ holiday break seemingly came at the least opportune time for rookie center Jake Guentzel. After returning from his first stint in Pittsburgh, he was red hot with five goals and four assists in the previous six games.

But as the Binghamton Senators and Springfield Thunderbirds found out, it appears the former third-round draft pick hasn’t cooled off one bit.

Guentzel scored two goals — including the game winner in the third period — and added one assist against Binghamton on Monday and added three more goals Tuesday against the Thunderbirds. Guentzel now leads the AHL in goals with 17 and has quickly re-established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive threats.



Here's his first goal Tuesday:



And his second ...



And his third:



And, apparently, most modest.

“I’m obviously playing with good players,” Guentzel said in reference to his recent hot streak. “We have the depth here where, whoever you play with, that’s a good player. So it’s definitely been fun so far (this season).”

The former Nebraska-Omaha star made his grand entrance to the professional ranks during the Calder Cup Playoffs, recording 14 points in 10 games and scoring the series-winning goal against Providence in the first round.



While Guentzel certainly hasn’t maintained that torrid pace through his official rookie campaign, he’s been the key piece of the Penguins’ offense, especially of late. Since his return, he’s helped the power play recover from an 0-for-28 swoon in November to now hover above 20 percent. As a result, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton sits atop the AHL standings and was one of only two teams with 20 or more wins entering Tuesday – the other being Atlantic Division contender Lehigh Valley.

Guentzel credits the veteran presence of Tom Kostopoulos, David Warsofsky and other players for helping him adjust on the fly at this level. Appropriately enough, both of them assisted on his hat-trick completing goal Tuesday.

“I don’t know where I’d be without (Kostopoulos),” he said.

Penguins head coach Clark Donatelli said Guentzel has all the right physical tools and the “hockey IQ” teams look for in a star player.However, the 22-year-old has proven his best attribute can’t be quantified.

“He came in last year, and he hit it running,” Donatelli said. “But the biggest thing about him is his compete level. His compete level is off the charts. He’s a fierce competitor out there. He’s fearless.”

That fearlessness benefits him in a couple of ways.

Teammate Teddy Blueger, who also signed an amateur tryout agreement in March, said Guentzel can thread the needle and make great passes. When he’s in the offensive zone, he’s an excellent puck protector and doesn’t give away potential chances.

But his vision and on-ice awareness are the real catalysts.

“That’s why he’s always around the net and making those little plays that lead to goals,” Blueger said.

As for the rest of the season, Guentzel said one of his main goals is to better maintain his strength and endurance.

When he eventually figures out how to do that, opposing teams — and Pittsburgh brass — are likely to take notice.

“I’m feeling better with the pace (of the games),” he said. “So it’s been a fun start.”

Editor's note: Tyler Piccotti works in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for the The Citizens' Voice. He will cover the Baby Penguins, as we expand the look and feel of this weekly feature on the Penguins' prospects.