Brad Penner-Imagn Images
So this is why Utah signed Dylan Guenther to an eight-year contract with a $7.14-million cap hit.
At the time, it was a lot of money for a 21-year-old, who had combined to play only 78 games in the NHL, and who had never scored 20 goals or more than 35 points. But as Guenther has shown early on in this Utah’s inaugural season, the contract was based on potential.
And with four goals in two games, Guenther is showing he’s got the potential to be a really special player.
The ninth-overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft established himself as an up-and-comer last season, with 18 goals and 35 points in 45 games. It was apparently enough to land Guenther an eight-year, $57.14-million contract extension that kicks in next season.
It was a level of commitment that shows just how much Utah believes in the former WHL sniper, who had 45 goals in 59 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2022-21. And so far, he’s paying them back.
Utah’s start couldn’t be better, with two wins over the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders. Front and center for both was Guenther, who became just the fifth player in NHL history to score multiple goals in each of the franchise’s first two games.
As of Friday Guenther was the NHL’s goal-scoring leader.
Enjoy it while you can.
Against the Blackhawks, Guenther scored Utah’s first-ever goal and scored again in the third period in a 5-2 win. Two nights later, he scored again, this time potting the overtime-winner against the Islanders.
With 10 goals in two games, Utah is not having any difficulty scoring — particularly their youngsters.
Logan Cooley doesn’t have a goal. But the third-overall pick in 2022 has four assists. Barrett Hayton, who was a fifth-overall pick in 2018, has a pair of goals and an assist. And 22-year-old Josh Doan has a goal.
Clayton Keller, who at 26 might be considered the old man on the team, also has a goal and two assists.
Guenther and his teammates will need all the contributions they can get, with Utah about to face the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins in three of their next four games. It’s going to be a test for the young team, which couldn’t have asked for more out of the gate — particularly from Guenther.
Either way, the rest of the NHL is now on notice. This group — and this franchise — looks like it will no longer be pushovers.
