Report: Capitals Could Be Among Players To Sign Jake Guentzel This Summer

The Washington Capitals are in desperate need of help on offense as they enter what's sure to be an interesting offseason, and they could find help in the form of a longtime rival: Jake Guentzel.

Per The Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli , Washington could be among the teams looking to make a strong push to sign Guentzel, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. And though the Vancouver Canucks are the frontrunners, several teams will be putting up a fight, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers if they part ways with Mitch Marner and Sam Reinhart, respectively.

"When the clock strikes 12 noon ET on Canada Day, expect the Vancouver Canucks to make a strong play for pending free agent forward Jake Guetnzel. They won't be alone... There will also be other teams such as the Washington Capitals or maybe even the New York Rangers, if they can find requisite cap space," Servalli wrote in his latest column.

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In 67 games this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes, Guentzel picked up 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points, along with a plus/minus of plus-25. This past season marked his third consecutive 30-plus goal campaign and the highest points-per-game total (1.14 P/PG) of his career.

The 29-year-old brings a wicked shot, good playmaking ability and an impressive hockey IQ to the table, and he's also a versatile player who can play well at both ends of the ice.

Bringing in Guentzel would be an interesting option for D.C., who managed the fifth-least goals per game in the NHL this past season and have been looking to add another top-6 forward to the mix. He can also ignite a much-needed spark on the Capitals' power play, which is in need of another X-Factor player with T.J. Oshie potentially finished and Alex Ovechkin entering the twilight of his career.

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Even if Washington doesn't win the Guentzel sweepstakes (his signing rights are also reportedly on the table in exchange for a mid-draft pick, so a trade is an option, too), its interest in the Stanley Cup champion indicates that it could look to make a splash this summer with a bigger name as the Capitals prepare to have more flexibility to work with this offseason.

Expect more news as the NHL Draft comes and goes next week. NHL Free Agency opens on July 1.