The Hurricanes are expected to trade Guentzel from the Penguins, source says

The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to complete the sale of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel on Thursday night, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Details of the trade are being finalized. A trade call with the NHL was expected after the Hurricanes' game against the Montreal Canadiens and the Penguins' game against the Washington Capitals, according to a source.

Guentzel, 29, is considered the best forward available before Friday's NHL trade deadline. He has 52 points in 50 games this season, including 22 goals. Guentzel has 466 points in 503 games over eight seasons with the Penguins. He was Captain Sidney Crosby's primary winger for most of that time.

Guentzel is an unrestricted free agent after the season and carries a $6 million salary cap hit. Given his age and what he is expected to earn in his next contract, the Penguins elected to acquire Guentzel at the deadline with an eye toward eventually rebuilding the veteran team. General manager Kyle Dubas recently said that although Guentzel has been an integral part of the team, the Penguins “need to get younger.”

Carolina forward Michael Bunting has been ruled out of Thursday's game for “trade-related reasons,” the team said. He is expected to be part of a return package to Pittsburgh, reuniting with Dubas, who he signed as a free agent when both were with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Hurricanes sought a signing winger at the deadline. They also wanted to add an impact player for the postseason. Guentzel won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2017 and has earned a reputation as a playoff player, with 58 points in 58 playoff games, including 34 goals.