Jake
Guentzel
C · TBL · Offensive · Elite
- PAL
- 94
- WAR
- 2.7
- Value
- 90
- PTS
- 88
2025-26№ 39 / 615
Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Jake Guentzel
#59CPlays: Centre and winger · 24% of faceoffs
Tampa Bay Lightning
HEIGHT : 180 cm · WEIGHT : 80 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : October 5, 1994 · Omaha, United States
Drafted : 2013 · PIT · round 3, pick #77
Contract : $9,000,000 · 2024-25 → 2030-31 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $12,263,157NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 17 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 81 | 38 | 50 | 88 | 61 |
| 2024-25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 80 | 41 | 39 | 80 | 24 |
| 2023-24 | Carolina Hurricanes | 17 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 8 |
| 2023-24 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 50 | 22 | 30 | 52 | 14 |
| 2022-23 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 78 | 36 | 37 | 73 | 46 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 76 | 40 | 44 | 84 | 44 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 56 | 23 | 34 | 57 | 28 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 39 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 14 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 40 | 36 | 76 | 26 |
| 2017-18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 22 | 26 | 48 | 42 |
| 2016-17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 40 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 10 |
| NHL totals | 697 | 316 | 361 | 677 | 321 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| 2023-24 | Carolina Hurricanes | 11 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 16 |
| 2021-22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 7 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| 2020-21 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 2019-20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 12 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 8 |
| 2016-17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 25 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 10 |
| Playoff totals | 81 | 43 | 38 | 81 | 56 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2016-17
Jake Guentzel: our analysis
2025-26 season: 81 GP, 38 G, 50 A, 88 PTS, +13 +/-, 20:15 TOI. WAR 2.7 (39th of 615) · PAL 94, elite.
In 2025-26, Jake Guentzel, 32, posts a PAL Rating of 94 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 2.7 ranks 39th among 615 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: shooting (96, among the best in the league), power play (95, among the best in the league) and creation (94, among the best in the league). On the other hand, defense (23, well below average) holds him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+5.4); his biggest cost: EV defense (-1.5).
An improvement on 2024-25, when his PAL was 91; his WAR, though, went from 3.3 to 2.7.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 90 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Jake Guentzel's story
Raised in Woodbury, Minnesota after being born in Omaha, Jake Guentzel developed his game in a hockey‑rich environment. He played two varsity seasons at Hill‑Murray School and then moved to the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers for 2012–13, posting 29 goals and 73 points in 60 games and earning USHL Rookie of the Year honours.
Selected 77th overall by Pittsburgh in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Guentzel opted for collegiate hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He made an immediate impact with the Mavericks, appearing on NCHC rookie lists and academic teams, and improved his scoring each season—leading the team in points in both 2014–15 and 2015–16, the latter year as a co‑captain and after guiding UNO to its first Frozen Four.
Guentzel turned pro late in 2015–16 with Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton in the AHL and inked an entry‑level deal with Pittsburgh on 23 May 2016. He debuted in the NHL on 21 November 2016 and scored on his first two shots. By 2017 he was a key contributor to Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup run, registering 21 postseason points. Subsequent seasons brought career highs, multiple hat tricks in both regular season and playoffs, a five‑year, $30 million extension signed on 27 December 2018, and a string of 40‑goal performances.
On 7 March 2024 Pittsburgh traded him to Carolina; he finished that regular season with eight goals and 17 points in 25 games for the Hurricanes and added nine points in 11 playoff appearances. With contract talks unresolved, his negotiation rights were moved to Tampa Bay on 30 June 2024 in exchange for a 2025 third‑round pick, and he signed a seven‑year, $63 million contract the same day.
Internationally, Guentzel represented the United States at the 4 Nations Face‑Off in 2025 and was named to the U.S. Olympic roster for 2026, where he posted three goals and one assist in four games and helped the team win Olympic gold. On the ice, his game is marked by smart offensive positioning, a knack for finishing around the net and consistent production in both regular season and high‑leverage playoff moments.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 20:56
- PP TOI/GP
- 5:08
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:53
- Pts/GP
- 1.06
- EV points
- 12
- Hits
- 11
- Blocks
- 8
- Takeaways
- 4
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 57.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 38.2 %
- Faceoffs
- 35.6 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
84between 60 and 101 (80% range)
- Goals
- 39
- Assists
- 45
- Games
- 81
So far: 18 pts in 17 games. The team has played 17 of 84 games. Projected pace: 1.04 pts per game (last season: 1.09).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 1.15 in 23-24, 1.09 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 91 → 94
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 31: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
85
High-end
- SK
- Skating
- 70
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 56
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 92
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 85
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 63
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 72
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 84
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- 67
- Confidence 68 %
- PA
- Passing
- 88
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 93
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 63
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 65
- Confidence 57 %
- EX
- Experience
- 89
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating70
- Top speed (35 %)35.9 · 71
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)5.315 · 72
- Distance /60 (20 %)16 · 65
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.5 · 76
ST — Strength56
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)3.773 · 72
- Body mass (50 %)-1.511 · 52
EN — Endurance92
- Ice time per game (45 %)18.5 · 89
- Total ice time (20 %)1,572 · 90
- Shift length (15 %)51.2 · 89
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)18 · 92
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)4.171 · 89
DU — Durability85
- Share of games played (100 %)0.872 · 85
CK — Checking63
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.129 · 61
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.69 · 61
- Season volume (10 %)3.689 · 68
FG — Fighting72
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.783 · 72
DI — Discipline84
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)0.049 · 85
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.635 · 75
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.925 · 82
FO — Faceoffs67
- Faceoff % (85 %)48.5 · 71
- Faceoffs /60 (15 %)16.9 · 55
PA — Passing88
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)1.035 · 87
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.694 · 87
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.253 · 89
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)5.446 · 85
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.782 · 87
SC — Scoring93
- Goals /60 (25 %)1.375 · 91
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)1.205 · 93
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.093 · 79
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)2.201 · 91
- xG per shot (10 %)0.093 · 95
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)15.2 · 84
DF — Defense63
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.081 · 61
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.27 · 58
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.724 · 68
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.102 · 86
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.484 · 72
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)60.9 · 60
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)2.353 · 71
PS — Penalty shot65
- Shootouts (60 %)32.9 · 84
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience89
- Career regular-season games (65 %)92
- Career playoff games (25 %)83
- NHL seasons (10 %)81
OV — Overall85
- SC · Scoring (20 %)93
- PA · Passing (20 %)88
- DF · Defense (20 %)63
- SK · Skating (12 %)70
- FO · Faceoffs (10 %)67
- EN · Endurance (8 %)92
- DI · Discipline (5 %)84
- ST · Strength (3 %)56
- CK · Checking (2 %)63
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 85 | 70 | 93 | 63 |
| 2024-25 | 84 | 74 | 93 | 59 |
| 2023-24 | 89 | 84 | 92 | 55 |
| 2022-23 | 85 | 84 | 89 | 49 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
2.7
wins above replacement
39 of 615
PAL Rating
94/ 100
Performance · Elite
26 of 476 at the position
Value Rating
90/ 100
Exceptional value
9.00 M$ · expected PAL 73
ProfileOffensiveValue comes mostly from offense
- Offense
- 97
- Defense
- 46
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 93
- Creation
- 94
- Shooting
- 96
- Possession
- 69
- Defense
- 23
- Discipline
- 70
- Power play
- 95
- Penalty kill
- 92
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 2.7 | 94 | 90 | 9.00 M$ |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 3.3 | 91 | 80 | 9.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | CAR | 0.6 | 93 | 88 | 6.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 0.3 | 72 | 47 | 6.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
96/ 100
Elite
better than 96% of forwards, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
99/ 100
Elite
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
42/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 15 of 424 forwards.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 92
- Shot selection
- 97
- Penalties drawn
- 76
- Puck management
- 79
Defense
- Takeaways
- 26
- Discipline
- 45
- Safe zone exits
- 59
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 96 | 99 | 42 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 91 | 88 | 73 |
| 2023-24 | CAR | 97 | 97 | 77 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 88 | 97 | 38 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
2.7
wins above replacement
1.3 to 4.9 — 90% interval
39 of 615 forwards
+14.5 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +5.4
- EV defense
- -1.5
- Power play
- +2.7
- Penalty kill
- +0.4
- Shooting
- +2.2
- Penalties
- +1.2
- Average → replacement
- +4.1
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | TBL | 81 | 2.7 | 1.3 to 4.9 | 39/615 |
| 2024-25 | TBL | 78 | 3.3 | 1.9 to 5.8 | 22/596 |
| 2023-24 | CAR | 67 | 0.6 | -0.6 to 2.2 | 219/608 |
| 2022-23 | PIT | 78 | 0.3 | -1.0 to 1.4 | 250/617 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 124.3 km/h21st percentileleague avg. 130.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.7 km/h37th percentileleague avg. 35.2 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1953rd percentileleague avg. 21
- Offensive zone time
- 45.5 %84th percentileleague avg. 43.1 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 80.9 km87th percentileleague avg. 52.2 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 6.16 km93rd percentileleague avg. 4.52 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.9 %66th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.6 %29th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 36.9 %82nd percentileleague avg. 40.1 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 4693rd percentile | 1098th percentile | 21.7 %87th percentile |
| High danger | 2699th percentile | 596th percentile | 19.2 %50th percentile |
| Mid range | 1179th percentile | 177th percentile | 9.1 %41st percentile |
| Long range | 272nd percentile | 199th percentile | 50.0 %98th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
WPG
MIN
CHI
DET
NSH
UTA
COL
VGK
VAN
SEA
NYR
NYI
PHI
WSHJake Guentzel: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Jake Guentzel have in 2026-27?
Jake Guentzel has 10 goals and 18 points (8 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Jake Guentzel?
Jake Guentzel is 32 years old: he was born on October 6, 1994.
How tall is Jake Guentzel, and how much does he weigh?
Jake Guentzel is 5'11" (180 cm) and weighs 176 lb (80 kg).
Where is Jake Guentzel from?
United States: Jake Guentzel was born in Omaha, Nebraska, United States.
What team does Jake Guentzel play for?
Jake Guentzel plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, at C, wearing number 59.
Is Jake Guentzel injured?
No: Jake Guentzel is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Jake Guentzel?
Jake Guentzel produced 2.7 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 39th of 615 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 94 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Jake Guentzel make?
Jake Guentzel earns $9.0M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 90 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Jake Guentzel's contract end?
Jake Guentzel's contract runs through the 2030-31 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Jake Guentzel overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 90 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Jake Guentzel a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 39th of 615 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Jake Guentzel getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 91 in 2024-25 to 94 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Jake Guentzel played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Jake Guentzel has 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists).
What are Jake Guentzel's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Jake Guentzel has 697 games, 316 goals, 361 assists and 677 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 88 points in 81 games.
Where was Jake Guentzel drafted?
Jake Guentzel was drafted 77th overall (round 3) by Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013.
Is Jake Guentzel better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 1.13 points per game at home (9 in 8 games) and 1.00 on the road (9 in 9 games).
How does Jake Guentzel perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Jake Guentzel has 81 games and 81 points in his career. His pace (1.00 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.97).
Which player is most similar to Jake Guentzel?
Tomas Hertl: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Tomas Hertl's page →Is Jake Guentzel a good fantasy pick?
Yes, a top-tier pick: our projection has him at 84 points in 2026-27, or 1.04 points per game.
Does Jake Guentzel have siblings?
Yes: his brother Ryan Guentzel (played collegiately and professionally), his brother Gabe Guentzel (played in the NAHL and the USHL before a four-year NCAA career at Colorado College).
Is Jake Guentzel related to anyone famous?
Yes: Mike Guentzel (father, standout at Greenway High School; played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers; later became associate head coach at the University of Minnesota).
Is Jake Guentzel married?
Yes, married to Natalie Johnson (2021).
What is Jake Guentzel's nationality?
Jake Guentzel is American. Internationally: Team USA — 2nd place at the 4 Nations Face-Off (2025); Olympic gold medal (2026).
What awards has Jake Guentzel won?
USHL Rookie of the Year (2012–13) ; USHL All-Rookie Team (2012–13) ; USHL Second All-Star Team (2012–13) ; NCHC Academic All-Conference Team (2013–14) ; NCHC All-Conference Rookie Team (2013–14) ; Finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year (2013–14) ; NCHC Scholar-Athlete (2015–16) ; NCHC Academic All-Conference Team (2015–16); and more.
How many championships has Jake Guentzel won?
2: Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2017); Olympic gold medal with Team USA (2026 Winter Olympics).
Where did Jake Guentzel play before turning pro?
Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) — 2012–13 season; University of Nebraska Omaha (NCAA) — 2013–2016.
How many points is Jake Guentzel projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 84 points in 81 games in 2026-27 (60 to 101 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)